Light Brown Apple Moth Spraying Inspires Strong Gubernatorial Action and Robust Legislative Package

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Traci Sheehan
Executive Director
Planning and Conservation League

In late 2007, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) aerially sprayed pesticides on Central Coast counties to control the spread of the light brown apple moth. Over 600 people reported health problems, including respiratory and intestinal ailments, eye irritation, dizziness, rashes, headaches, and nausea.

Yesterday, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered a postponement of aerial spraying in twelve counties until the completion of additional testing on the efficacy and toxicity of various substances that could be sprayed.

In addition, last Wednesday the Assembly Agriculture Committee heard a package of bills to reform aerial pesticide application in California, including requirements for greater planning, Environmental Impact Reports, and voter consent.

Hundreds of individuals, mainly from the Bay Area, came to express their support for the legislation, making for a rather raucous event.

The large numbers of supporters were very effective; AB 2760 (Leno), AB 2763 (Laird), and AB 2765 (Huffman) were passed out of the committee and will now be discussed in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.

Two proposals, however, failed to get out of Committee: AB 2892 (Swanson), which would have required voter consent before pesticide application and AB 2764 (Hancock) which would have prohibited pesticide application for eradication without a proclaimed state of emergency.

The Governor's bold action and the strong showing of support for these much-needed bills gives us hope for the possibility of more holistic legislation to reform pesticide use in California. For example, California needs stronger protections for those who are especially prone to pesticide poisoning, including field workers and pesticide applicators.