A newswire posting on Indybay made me look up the Light Brown Apple Moth.
It seems that aerial spraying has been happening around California to eradicate an introduced species called the Light Brown Apple Moth.
The substance being used in the aerial spraying in a synthetic phermone that frustrates the ability of the species to find each other and mate.
Media reports have brought to light accusations that the spraying caused hundreds to seek medical attention.
The agricultural industry claims the moth is a new arrival that could destroy crops. Others argue that the moth has been around much longer, and does not harm the plant.
It’s a situation every bit as bullshit and ridiculous as what you’d expect from agencies like APHIS who are also leading the wild bison eradication fiasco.
Experts question plan to spray to fight moths
The light brown apple moth may not be the voracious crop threat portrayed by state and federal agricultural officials, according to some scientists who also warn that the aerial spraying of a pesticide over California’s cities may turn out to be an expensive, unnecessary public relations nightmare doomed to fail.
Aerial Spray Program Imposed by CDFA May Violate Human Rights and Incur Liabilities
A groundbreaking independent report prepared by the Environment and Human Rights Advisory outlines 23 international human rights that may be violated by the aerial spraying program conducted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) for the Light Brown Apple Moth. These are in addition to other potential violations of US and California constitutions and state statutes.
Big Fracas Over Tiny Bug
For a tiny bug, the light brown apple moth is creating a monster-sized controversy. Ever since state officials announced plans to eradicate an infestation of the pest with aerial spraying, activists have accused state scientists of a plan that will sicken the public and be ineffective against the fluttering menace.
Pesticide Politics and the Light Brown Apple Moth
The nine-county San Francisco Bay Area is now on a federal quarantine list — to which Mexico has added Los Angeles and Napa counties — as state agricultural officials ponder a massive pesticide campaign to combat the light brown apple moth.
There are billions of dollars at stake, especially if the moth spreads into California’s agricultural heartland in the Central Valley.
Yet some scientists say the moth, a native of New Zealand, has already been in California for decades, and are calling for an alternative plan.
Filed under: bioscience, insects, moths, pesticides
