Laird Disappointed with Decision to Begin LBAM Spraying,
Vows to Continue Science-based Review

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) today expressed disappointment with the California Department of Food & Agriculture’s announcement that Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) spraying will begin Sunday, September 9, and called for continuing the scientific review currently underway.   Mr. Laird issued the following statement:

“I’m disappointed with the CDFA’s decision to begin spraying this weekend.  While I was pleased with their previous decision to delay the spraying, delaying for 4 days over a holiday weekend does not allow enough time to investigate the key public health and environmental questions that have been raised.  As I’ve said previously, the LBAM situation is urgent and complicated and involves public health, the environment and the local economy.

 Whether or not the spraying takes place this Sunday, we should continue an urgent review process that emphasizes sound science.  I will continue to work with local, state and federal-level agencies and organizations to secure third-party review of CDFA’s spraying plans.  Given CDFA’s plans to spray Monterey County multiple times, and given the CDFA’s plans to replicate the program in additional counties, it remains critically important that we get questions answered.”

More on LBAM:

Assemblymember Laird has developed a Light Brown Apple Moth resource center on his Website: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a27/moth.htm. Resources include:

• Summary of Questions and Concerns
• Laird Letter to Constituents, 8/24/07
• Eradication Information from the California Department of Food & Agriculture
• Seaside Area Environmental Assessment by the USDA, July 2007
• CDFA letter to City of Monterey, 8/22/07
• Light Brown Apple Moth News

Laird statement calling for spraying delay, 8/31: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a27/press/20070831AD27PR02.htm