Prove Before Spraying

Submitted by Anna on Sun, 12/28/2008 - 00:06

The Bohemian
December 24, 2008

Who says that the light brown apple moth is such a big threat?
By Yannick A. Phillips

Last year, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) waltzed into Monterey and Santa Cruz counties and announced to its citizens that the government needed to spray pesticides above their homes, neighborhoods, playgrounds, businesses and schools. The CDFA had a mandate from the USDA. Not to worry, they said. The spray is safe for you, your babies, your children and your pets. The real danger, the CDFA claimed, was a moth the size of a child’s pinky nail, the light brown apple moth (LBAM). The CDFA told them it was a moth of mass plant destruction.

The CDFA proceeded to spray. The people trusted. Soon after, hundreds of people reported being ill. Children experienced anaphylaxis or severe allergic reactions. Over 600 dead birds washed up on the shores of Monterey Bay. Dogs and cats accidentally left outside during the spray died. Fish in private ponds died. A thick yellow foam appeared in local streams. Bees were disoriented or completely disappeared.

Read the Rest Here