The light brown apple moth came to California from its native Australia. Because light brown apple moth caterpillars are able to feed on a wide variety of host plants, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has classified it as an insect that should be eradicated and has provided the California Department of Food and Agriculture with 75 million dollars to conduct an eradication program. Currently, eradication plans involve aerial spraying of a pheromone-based insecticide in the Bay Area starting in the summer of 2008. Spraying may continue for up to five years.
CEH questions the efficacy and safety of aerial spraying of pesticides generally. We oppose aerial spraying of pesticides in both agricultural and urban areas.
We recognize that the light brown apple moth has established such a substantial presence in California that eradication is not practical or possible.
We call for full disclosure in open discussion with affected communities of the extent of the apple moth infestation; of realistic estimates of damage to date and predicted damage; of all ingredients of pesticides in use or under consideration; of health risks associated with these pesticides; and of the efficacy of all proposed eradication techniques.
We specifically oppose further aerial spraying of the pheromone-based pesticide for four reasons:
1) the lack of evidence that aerial application over urban areas will effectively control the light brown apple moth
2) the lack of complete information about how the pesticides used in this eradication program impact our health, as well as the health of our environment
3) the incomplete assessment of the reported health impacts from the fall 2007 spraying in Santa Cruz and Monterey
4) the lack of information available to people who will be exposed to the spray, including information about the ingredients in the pesticides to be used
Please consider signing the petition against aerial spraying.
To learn more about the issue, visit the following links:
KQED "Quest" Story
KALW "Your Call" Story (from 3/27)
STOP THE SPRAY Panel Presentations (CEH Research Director's segment starts at minute 59)
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