A report from the National Research Council finds that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was right in determing the state of California could spray to eradicate the light brown apple moth.The light brown apple moth was discovered in California in 2007, and fear quickly entered the minds of the state’s farmers. That’s because the insects “damage seedling plants in nurseries and injure tree fruit, citrus and grapes,” according to an article by Science Fair online. Thus far the moth has been sighted in 17 California counties. For a state that produces as much citrus, grapes, and other fruits, as California does, a large scale infestation could be crippling economically.
To combat the insect the USDA labeled it an “actionable” pest. This meant the California Department of Food and Agriculture could move forward with efforts to eradicate the moth. To do so California was going to spray a pheromone that would keep the moths from mating. Then some of residents decided to protest the pheromone application for fear it would be harmful to people, “animals and other insects.” The campaign was labeled “Stop the Spray.”
To stop the effort, two petitions were filed with the USDA. One petition was sent by the Pesticide Action Network North America and the other was filed by three private citizens. According to the article by Science Fair, the petitions asked whether or not the moth is truly an “actionable” pest.
Following these complaints and others, California stopped its plans to spray. Next, the USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) asked the National Research Council “to look into the matter[.]” Then ten-person panel of exports issued a 31-page report yesterday, September 14, 2009.
According to Science Fair, the report basically says the moth is a pest and counts as “actionable” under existing USDA rules. The panel also said the USDA could have done a better job of explaining the science behind the spray application and why eradicating the moth is so important. Regardless, it looks like California can and will move forward with its efforts to eradicate the light brown apple moth.
To read the Science Fair article click here.
To visit the “Stop the Spray” website click here.
To access the National Research Council’s report click here.
Posted: 09/15/09
