Ban on Black Currant Farming Reversed in NY

100 Year Ban on Black Currant Farming Is Officially Reversed in New York

Clinton, New York, August 8, 2003 - New York State farmers may want to consider growing black currants, a berry banned from cultivation for the last century, but newly allowed now that a bill (S2592 LARKIN), passed unanimously by the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, has been signed into law by Governor George Pataki. "This is such exciting news since it is the first time in almost a century that all varieties of currants can be grown in New York State," says Greg Quinn, founder of Au Currant Enterprises, who, along with Senators Bill Larkin (R-C), Stephen Saland (R-C), John Bonacic (R-C), Vincent Leibell (R-C) and James Seward (R-C-I), played a vital role in the passage of this new bill. The bill was sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblyman Bill Magee (D), Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee.

The original black currant farming ban occurred when the United States began importing European white pine seedlings, and white pine blister rust disease came with them. "It was later found that this tree disease jumped from white pine to black currant bush to white pine," explains Steve McKay, black currant expert at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia County. "To protect the timber industry, by 1911, U.S. regulations were passed - and later repealed - which lead to the farming ban of this once popular berry."

By request of Quinn and McKay, scientists from Cornell University revisited the white pine blister rust issue. These experts concluded that the disease didn't pose the threat to white pines that was once believed. "This scientific support was what helped convince the New York State lawmakers that black currants can be grown in the state without creating a threat," adds Quinn. "Consequently, the Governor has signed the bill which has now become law." This is potentially very good news for the area's struggling farmers.