WASHINGTON, July 20, 2006--Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the availability of an additional $7.6 million in emergency funding for emerald ash borer (EAB) eradication efforts in Illinois and Wisconsin. This brings total funding for EAB eradication efforts across the United States in 2006 to $25 million.

"The emerald ash borer is a destructive pest that poses a significant threat to our native ash trees and our nation's forests," said Johanns. "This additional funding will help the State of Illinois to begin eradication efforts and outreach initiatives to reduce the spread of emerald ash borer."

The funds announced today will be used to conduct an intensive survey program and quarantine affected areas in Illinois to prevent additional EAB spread. APHIS and Illinois Department of Agriculture officials have already begun survey activities to determine the extent of the infestations discovered in Wilmette and the nine counties surrounding Kane County, which include areas in Wisconsin. APHIS is preparing an interim rule for publication in the Federal Register to implement a quarantine to prevent the movement of host materials (nursery stock, firewood, etc) out of the area. The quarantine may be expanded if additional areas are found to be infested.

In addition to the survey, regulatory and control activities, these funds will also support an aggressive outreach and education campaign to enlist the support and cooperation of homeowners and businesses.

Earlier this year, USDA provided an additional $7.5 million of emergency funding to states with established EAB programs and quarantine areas. Ohio received $ 2.4 million, Michigan $3.5 million and Indiana $300,000. USDA also provided funding to neighboring states, including Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wisconsin, for additional EAB surveys. In total, since 2003, USDA has dedicated $101 million to the EAB program efforts across the country. An additional $31.2 million is included in the President's FY 2007 Budget request.

EAB is an invasive species of wood-boring beetles, native to China and eastern Asia that targets ash trees in North America. It was first detected in July of 2002 in southeastern Michigan and has since been found in Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Virginia and most recently in Illinois last month. More than 21,636 square miles are currently quarantined due to the presence of the beetle.

EAB larvae feed in the phloem and outer sapwood of ash trees eventually killing the branches and entire trees. Trees can die within two to three years of becoming infested. Ash trees are important to wildlife species because of their seed production and are important to the nursery, landscaping, timber, recreation and tourism industries. Ash wood is also used for flooring, furniture and sports equipment, in addition to playing an important role in the culture and heritage of Native Americans.

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has been working cooperatively with state agencies, universities, green industries and the international scientific community to develop strategies for the detection, control and eradication of EAB.