The Cotton Boll Weevil Eradication Program consists of monitoring cotton fields for the presence of
the cotton boll weevil and treatment if boll weevils are found. The costs associated with this survey
program are paid by Virginia’s cotton producers. The Office of Plant Industry Services oversees
the survey to ensure that program standards are met.
Administration and enforcement of the provisions of the cotton boll weevil quarantine are important
and necessary to protect and enhance Virginia's cotton industry, in addition to protecting the quality
of the environment in the cotton-producing area. The regulation:
- Restricts the movement of regulated articles, such as seed cotton, gin trash and used
cotton-harvesting equipment to prevent the reintroduction of the boll weevil into Virginia and other
non-infested states by the use of inspections, certificates, permits, compliance agreements and
treatments, if necessary;
- Requires all cotton farm operators in Virginia to participate in the eradication program, which
includes reporting of acreage planted in cotton and field locations, compliance with all cotton boll
weevil regulations and payment of per-acre fees to support the trapping of all cotton fields; and
- Prohibits non-commercial cotton from being planted in Virginia unless the grower applies for and
receives an exemption. To request an exemption for the production of non-commercial cotton, please
fill out the Request to Grow Cotton form and email the completed form to John.Bransford@vdacs.virginia.gov.
The eradication of the cotton boll weevil and the enforcement of the quarantine, which ensures that
the boll weevil does not re-infest Virginia, provide an alternate crop that enhances the economic
conditions for growers in eastern and southern Virginia.
John Bransford
804-786-3515
john.bransford@vdacs.virginia.gov
Visit the Office of Plant
Industry Services directory.