Officials call off aerial spray for apple moth

[BuddhaGirl]

No aerial spraying for California. :woohoo: :woohoo:

The outcry against this was immense...power to the people!! :-)


"California urban areas will not be sprayed aerially with pesticides to fight the light brown apple moth, state and federal agricultural officials announced Thursday.

Instead, officials intend to fight the invading, leaf-munching pest by releasing sterile moths and using other methods, according to California Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura and Cindy Smith, a U.S. Department of Agriculture official in charge of insect control.

The change of course comes after thousands of citizens questioned the safety and effectiveness of the spraying program that was promoted by Kawamura and federal officials. The officials had said the pesticides contain a synthetic pheromone - and other ingredients - that would confuse moths and interfere with reproduction.

"This is a huge victory for every mom, every M.D., every congressperson who spoke out against the unconscionable use of chemicals on a population," said Nan Wishner, chairwoman of the city of Albany's Integrated Pest Management Task Force, who has been working with citizens and environmental groups questioning blanket aerial spraying."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/19/MNIV11C587.DTL

[Dogtown]

1. Excellent!

Love to see functional and conscientious Public Opinion blocking bad policy!

[BuddhaGirl]

3. indeed!

it was horrible plan. So many people became ill, when Santa Cruz and Monterey were sprayed. Thank god we will be spared!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. Hurray!

Who needed trees anyway?