- k - 



There is a vital need for an agency in this state to assist 

 and encourar,e producers and shippers in expanding their horizons 

 toward this relatively untapped market and we sincerely believe 

 th'.t tiie answer is a foreign trade section in the Department of 

 Ar.riculture. 



No. 2 - An Act Establishing an Interstate Pest Control 

 Compact and Providing for the Entry of- the Commonwealth Therein. 



Every year pests do approximately seven billion dollars .in 

 damage to the country's agricultural and forest crop and products. 

 Many of these pests also attack our lawns and gardens v/ith further 

 destructive consequences. 



In Massachusetts the losses reach well into the millions and 

 the costs in combating these pests v/ill be astronomical unless 

 proper steps are taken immediately. 



There is currently a serious infestation of the pest known 

 as the European Chafer in parts of Middlesex, Essex and Suffolk 

 counties. This infestation is a threat to our agricultural crops, 

 fields and lavms. The first find of this pest in Massachusetts 

 was during the summer of 1966 and presently involves over 45,000 

 acres. Controls for the abatement and quarantine against this 

 pest nave been initiated, but available funds at this critical 

 period are not adequate for a satisfactory control program. In 

 addition to the problem caused by the European Chafer, v/e must 

 recognise the threats caused by other pests in Massachusetts, 

 namely, the Golden Nematode of Potato, Cereal Leaf Beetle, Tobacco 

 Cyst Nematode, Alfalfa V.'eevil, Gypsy Moth and Japanese Beetle. The 



