Bay Area officials and residents
rally to oppose aerial spraying

By Jesse Dungan and Ari Burack

April 14, 2008

Dozens of Bay Area residents of all ages gathered at the steps of San Francisco City Hall this afternoon to demonstrate their support for a resolution that opposes a state plan to conduct aerial chemical spraying to eradicate the invasive light brown apple moth.

The resolution, introduced by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, opposes the spraying by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and will go before the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

Amidst concerns of both short-term and long-term health affects that may be caused by the spraying, Mirkarimi said at today’s gathering that “the state needs to go back to the drawing board.”

“We do not want to see another DDT,” he said, referring to Dichloro-Diphenyl Trichloroethane, a synthetic pesticide. “We do not want to see another Agent Orange.”

Bonnie Kirkland, of the California Alliance to Stop the Spray, San Francisco Chapter, said that other counties have suffered the consequences of the spraying and that San Francisco needs to take a strong stance to protect the health of its citizens.

After aerial spraying last year in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, hundreds of residents reported respiratory and other problems ranging from mild to severe.

Paulina Borsook, a Santa Cruz resident, said that she was affected by the spraying and that many of her neighbors and other area residents “have not felt right since the spraying.”

“I know no one in Santa Cruz who wants to go through this again,” Borsook said.

Opponents of the program claim that spraying may cause respiratory problems, skin rashes, headaches and other health issues, and that pregnant women, children and elderly are thought to be those most susceptible. Several attendees at today’s rally held children in their laps while some held signs reading “Keep Your Spray Off My Baby.”

However, State Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura issued a statement in response to today’s event, contending that the “program’s success is critical to our economy, our environment and public health.”

Kawamura has said that the pheromone products have been “fully reviewed and approved by state and federal environmental officials, who have not found any reason for concern in more than a decade of use.” He denied they contributed to any of the health problems.

The light brown apple moth, native to Australia, has been found recently in parts of the Central Coast and the Bay Area, including San Francisco, and is considered a serious threat to plants and agricultural crops.

Federal and state agriculture officials claim that if the moth is allowed to spread throughout the state, it could cause between $160 million and $640 million in crop damage each year.

Though the plan also includes placing “twist ties” containing the pheromone on trees, shrubs and fence posts in infested areas, and the release of millions of tiny, stinger-less wasps that target the moth’s eggs, the department considers aerial spraying its main option.

The Department of Food and Agriculture plans to continue aerial spraying to eradicate the pests beginning June 1 in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, and Aug. 1 in San Francisco and parts of Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa and San Mateo counties.

Those opposed to the spraying claim that the eradication program has not been proven to be safe, effective or necessary.

James Carey, an entomologist from the University of California, Davis, has contended that the moth is already too widespread and that it would be “virtually impossible” to eradicate, and that the method has never been effective.

Frances Hsieh, a representative for state Sen. Carole Migden, said today that Migden supports the San Francisco resolution and that the city will be joining other cities throughout the Bay Area to take a stance in telling the state that Bay Area residents do not want to be “guinea pigs.”

A resolution proposed by Mayor Gavin Newsom and supervisors Bevin Dufty and Tom Ammiano supports state Sen. Carole Migden’s pending legislation to bring a moratorium on light brown apple moth aerial spraying and will also go before the Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

Mirkarimi’s resolution calls for the state to conduct a long-term study of health and environmental impacts of the aerial spraying that has already taken place in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, and for state legislation requiring the consent of residents before any aerial spraying.

“I remain committed to continuing an open, transparent process and will continue to encourage public dialogue and dissemination of factual information about this important eradication program,” said Kawamura in the statement issued today.

FCJ Editor

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