LBAM Spraying Update

A couple of updates here:
1. Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) introduced two pieces of legislation regarding the spraying, which were passed by the Assembly Agriculture Committee. The first called for "relevant state departments to address unresolved health, scientific and efficacy issues surrounding the CDFA’s Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM ) eradication plans," and the second called for them to do so in any future instances in which they felt eradication necessary. The legislation next heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for an additional vote. More here.
2. Two men holding doctorates in engineering -- one of them a Monterey city councilman -- have issued a report claiming that the spray being used to control the light brown apple moth on the Central Coast isn't as harmless as advertised. An analysis of the spray CheckMate, produced by Suterra LLC of Bend, Ore., conducted by engineers Dennis Knepp and Jeff Haferman contends that the number of small spray droplets that could be breathed into the lungs is larger than indicated by data from Suterra and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). More here.
*This is a very important issue with far-reaching repercussions on future CDFA actions. Please stay informed at Assemblymember Laird's website and let your voice be heard at CDFA by writing to lbam@cdfa.ca.gov. Thank you.