May 29, 2008 7:56 pm US/Pacific
Scientists Speak Out Against Calif. Moth Spraying
DAVIS (CBS 5) ―
More high profile scientists are speaking out against the plan to spray the Bay Area to eradicate the light brown apple moth.
To listen to proponents, if the plan to spray the Bay Area for the light brown apple moth is delayed, it means disaster.
"If we let this thing get into the central valley, this is Armageddon for agriculture," said state assembly agriculture commissioner Tom Berryhill.
State agriculture officials argue aerial spraying with a pheromone pesticide is the only way to get rid of what they describe as a "voracious" pest.
"We stand an excellent chance to eradicate it if we act on it quickly," Agricultyre Secretary A.G. Kawamura told CBS5.
But a CBS5 investigation revealed the health effects from the spraying haven't been studied. And as to whether it will work? UC Davis entomologist Jim carey told us: "There's no evidence ever, in the history of eradication programs where, a pheromone has even been used, much less been successful in eradicating any insect species."
At the time, he was one of few to speak out: Not anymore. In this letter obtained by CBS5, two more senior university of California scientists are now urging the state and federal governments to reconsider their eradication plans. Two professors from the UC Davis Department of Entomology write the US Secretary of agriculture that they are quote "perplexed by the claim by the USDA and CDFA that success in eliminating the moth is achievable."
The State Department of Food and Agriculture tonight is sticking to its position, saying they disagree and their panel of experts believe the plan can work.
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