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Leno and Huffman Applaud Suspension of Aerial Spraying of Light Brown Apple Moth in Urban Areas

SACRAMENTO, CA—Assemblymembers Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) commended the announcement made today by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) that they would stop the planned aerial pesticide spraying in urban areas to control the light brown apple moth (LBAM). The announcement comes after months of legislative and grassroots efforts to stop the proposed spraying in the Bay Area and along the coast.

“This is welcome news and a great relief to people across the Bay Area,” stated Assemblyman Leno. “This wise decision is the result of months of grassroots public outcry from active and concerned people across the Bay Area and along the coasts who knew there was a better way. I applaud the administration for its actions today and will continue to monitor any developments, especially any spraying in ‘highly forested areas.’  This is a great example of how average citizens can come together, have their collective voices heard and affect statewide policy. I commend everyone who said ‘no way’ to the spray,” Leno said.

“We’ve also seen the importance of an open and transparent public process so that communities can engage in the decision-making.  Given that the proposal for urban aerial spraying as been dropped, the public’s advocacy for our AB 2760, which would have required an Environmental Impact Report prior to any spraying, was clearly effective. With no plans for urban aerial spraying, the bill has served its purpose,” added Leno. 

“I am happy to see the Governor’s announcement on eradication of the Light Brown Apple Moth,” said Huffman.  “The sterile insect release proposal is a non-toxic and non-controversial eradication tool and I look forward to working with the Governor and the Department on this project.  I believe the prospect of aerial spray in residential areas is now off the table. Of course, the devil is in the details, and we will be watchful of those details, especially the notion of continued spraying in 'forested areas'. I will continue to advance my measure, AB 2765, to ensure public process and full disclosure in situations like this,” he said.

According to CDFA, the plan will still include ground based applications of pesticide to control LBAM populations, but will no longer include aerial applications in urban areas.  The plan will, however, include aerial applications in ‘highly forested areas,’ yet to be determined.