We hope everyone has had a chance to take that deep breath and feel relief knowing that our children and families will NOT be aerially sprayed in the coming months.

Faced with overwhelming public pressure, Secretary Kawamura of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced in a conference call on June 19, 2008, that “urban areas” in California will NOT be aerially sprayed to eradicate the light brown apple moth (LBAM), but instead, treated with sterile moths.

Our voices were heard!

But this hard fought battle is not over. MOMAS’ goal–to protect our children, families and communities from risks posed by unwarranted pesticide use–remains the same.

In its attempt to eradicate the LBAM, the CDFA has various, alternative plans to supplement its use of sterile moths. These include a ground spray, a pesticide “goo” applied to utility poles, pheromone-laced twist ties, and the widespread use of permethrin, a known neurotoxin.

Also, the CDFA has failed to give complete assurance that it will not revive the aerial spraying program in the future. In addition, a verbal commitment NOT to aerially spray “urban areas” needs clarification. Does the CDFA still plan to aerially spray Mount Tamalpais? Ring Mountain? Christmas Tree Hill in Larkspur? The hills of Mill Valley?

MOMAS will be keeping a close watch over the CDFA’s next steps and their plans for Marin and the Bay Area. At this point, it is MOMAS’ position that any plan to apply pesticides in our community to eradicate the light brown apple moth is unnecessary. The CDFA has failed to demonstrate that the moth is in fact a harmful pest, or that the use of pesticides over populated areas will pose no short or long term health effects.

If there is one thing you do today, please tell your friends and family that while the aerial spray has been halted, the issue is far from resolved. It is vitally important that we raise public awareness and educate the Bay Areas’ residents of the continued risks posed by the LBAM eradication program.