Moth Spin continuesTiny moth, giant flap, aerial spraying of female pheromones begins soon.
"Everyone agrees, public should “rely on sound science” and shut the door on false information.”
So states a recent California Department of Food and Agriculture press release, as the state seeks to allay public outcry in face of an impending deadline to begin aerial spray for the Light Brown Apple Moth.
The press release quotes California Association of Professional Scientists President Patty Valez saying that, “The report released by the joint health departments revealed that there is no link between the Light Brown Apple Moth spraying program and reported symptoms. In fact, it underscores the importance of a sound scientific evaluation in what has turned into a controversial but important aerial spraying program.”
The press release quotes Monterey Farm Bureau President Jason Smith saying, “IIf unchecked, the moth would damage native plants and would undermine our efforts to reduce pesticide use and improve water quality. It would raise international trade restrictions, erecting barriers to our farm exports and further weakening our rural economy."
The release even draws on today’s Chronicle, which observes that “the state study noted most of the reports – even those requiring medical attention – were consistent with rates of common respiratory problems.”
But the release doesn’t report the reaction of Assemblymember John Laird, (D-Santa Cruz) whose district was sprayed last fall.
Maybe that's because of Laird's scathing response to the LBAM health affects report issued by the state Office of Environment Health Hazard Assessment, the Department of Pesticide Regulation and the Department of Public Health this week.
“I’m disappointed that what should have been a very serious scientific effort started long ago, became an exercise where just 10 percent of the reported cases were analyzed and the findings have been used effectively as spin for the CDFA,” Laird observed.
The CDFA did not mention that the California Organic Farmers no longer supports the spraying.
“To say that there is no information to indicate a link between the spraying and health affects is not the same as saying there is no link between spraying and health affects. The state did not reach out to a single doctor for the report. At a minimum, the reports associated with doctors should have been retrieved and given full analysis, including speaking with the reporting physicians."
With no sense of irony, the report suggests putting in place a more effective reporting system—when having such a system is exactly what has been requested for months by me and many others, and such a system would have enabled them to analyze more than just 10% of the cases," Laird continues,
Laird is the author of ACR 117, an Assembly Concurrent Resolution that calls on the CDFA, DPR, and OEHHA, and other relevant state departments to address unresolved health, scientific and efficacy issues surrounding the CDFA’s LBAM eradication plans.
Laird also authored AB 2763, the Invasive Pest Planning Act of 2008, which would require tCDFA to create a list of invasive animals, plants, and insects that have a reasonable likelihood of entering California for which an eradication program might be appropriate. For each invasive on the list, the department would prepare a written assessment on the most appropriate method of eradication. If pesticides were to be used, the assessment would have to discuss application methods, the chemistry of the pesticide and its inert ingredients, impacts on public health and the environment. If a pest was found, the department would have to notify various local agencies, hold public hearings, and comply with other requirements.
The CDFA's posts situation reports at its website, for those wishing to track the moth's progress, locally,
Laird's AB 2763 passed the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee and will next be heard in the Assembly Agriculture Committee on April 16. Stay tuned….
With no sense of irony, the report suggests putting in place a more effective reporting system—when having such a system is exactly what has been requested for months by me and many others, and such a system would have enabled them to analyze more than just 10% of the cases.”
Laird has authored ACR 117, an Assembly Concurrent Resolution that calls on the CDFA, DPR, and OEHHA, and other relevant state departments to address unresolved health, scientific and efficacy issues surrounding the CDFA’s LBAM eradication plans.
Laird also authored AB 2763, the Invasive Pest Planning Act of 2008, which would require tCDFA to create a list of invasive animals, plants, and insects that have a reasonable likelihood of entering California for which an eradication program might be appropriate. For each invasive on the list, the department would prepare a written assessment on the most appropriate method of eradication. If pesticides were to be used, the assessment would have to discuss application methods, the chemistry of the pesticide and its inert ingredients, impacts on public health and the environment. If a pest was found, the department would have to notify various local agencies, hold public hearings, and comply with other requirements.
AB 2763 passed the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee and will next be heard in the Assembly Agriculture Committee on April 16. Stay tuned….
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Comments (3)
On Wednesday, April 16th a group of concerned citizens and members of stopthespray.org will be attending the ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE HEARING THAT WILL DETERMINE IF THE FOUR BILLS WILL GO TO THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE.
We need to make it hard for the Ag Committee to turn these down by showing up in large numbers -- so please join us!
The following link has all of the info that you need for transportation, scheduling & contacts.
http://forum.stopthespray.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=658
Posted by Sebastian Little | April 12, 2008 12:04 PM
On Wednesday, April 16th a group of concerned citizens and members of stopthespray.org will be attending the ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE HEARING THAT WILL DETERMINE IF THE FOUR LBAM RELATED BILLS WILL GO TO THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE.
We need to make it hard for the Ag Committee to turn these down by showing up in large numbers -- so please join us!
The following link has all of the info that you need for transportation, scheduling & contacts.
http://forum.stopthespray.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=658
Posted by Sebastian Little | April 12, 2008 12:06 PM
My daughter has asthma and lives in Santa Cruz. Her physician has told her to leave Santa Cruz County and any other Counties where the pesticide spraying will occur. Her physician wrote her a letter so she can leave the University of California, Santa Cruz campus and take her finals outside the aerial spray areas. Since one can die from asthma, as my father did, my daughter taking her physician's medical advice is extremely important for her very survival. Get educated and get involved.
Posted by bpm | April 13, 2008 01:15 PM