State Officials and Academics BACKGROUND: The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has announced plans to resume aerial pesticide spraying for the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) in summer 2008. Despite massive local public opposition, the $94 million dollar campaign began in 2007 in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties spraying a synthetic pheromone encased in microscopic plastic capsules along with many other toxic chemicals. Ignoring widespread reports of serious human health effects, as well as damage to birds, marine life and bees, CDFA will expand the program to the San Francisco Bay Area with plans to continue spraying each month for 3 - 5 years or indefinitely until the moth is 'eradicated.' On March 13, 2008 San Rafael, CA, a California State Senate Environmental Quality Committee Hearing on Forced LBAM Spraying was held, Sen. Joe Simitian, Chair, Senator Carol Migden and Assemblyman Jared Huffman attending.
YouTube | March 19, 2008
