overview
In the fall of 2007, the State of California sprayed pesticides over Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties to control the potentially invasive Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM).
In the following weeks, over 600 people reported adverse health effects, ranging from breathing problems to rashes.
Tens of thousands of Californians called on Governor Schwarzenegger to investigate the health complaints and end the LBAM Eradication Program.
On June 19, 2008, citizen groups won a historic victory. The State announced a moratorium on aerial spray of urban areas. However, the LBAM Eradication Program continues with the use of controversial toxic ground treatments and aerial pesticide spray of rural/mountainous areas.
A formal petition to reclassify LBAM as a non-quarantinable pest was submitted in September to the California Department of Food and Agriculture by experts in our movement. The petition documents the preponderance of scientific information and independent expert opinion that the moth does not pose a threat to crops or the natural environment.
Stop the Spray groups are alive and well, and continue to oppose untested, unsafe, unnecessary chemicals being used in our communities, public and agricultural lands. STS-SF [Marin] general meetings are on hold at the moment. Please stay tuned for email updates and calls to action...
FEATURED VIDEO OF THE WEEK
"A Skirmish Won, the Campaign Goes On"
Business executive Foster Gamble, a co-founder of CASSonline.org, gives his analysis of the CDFA’s decision not to aerial spray toxic pesticides over California urban areas. While celebrating the significant victory for grassroots organizing it represents, he goes on to examine what it really means for the CDFA and for the Stop the Spray movement. He shares his research on the various agendas driving pesticide and agriculture policy, looks at who benefits and who loses and what steps the movement needs to take to confront this larger picture.