Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) Eradication Program

Public Perspectives

Roy UptonLBAM LiaisonCitizens For Healthherbal@got.net

• …about the long-term human and environmental consequences of any pesticide…

• …and the negative effects are often multi-generational.

• How many times must we relearn this?

Pesticide SafetyThere is More Unknown Than is Known…

Photo: Jeff Haferman, Monterey, CA (2007)

Photo: Jeff Haferman, Monterey, CA (2007)

Develop IPM Strategies for Healthy Ecosystems

• Scientists and government agencies should work to minimize and eliminate the use of potentially toxic pesticides for agriculture and residential use and rather develop programs that are truly sustainable and encourage healthy ecosystems.

• All indications suggest that IPM programs are effective at managing LBAM in a cost-effective manner.

• Monocultures should be a thing of the past.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Pesticides Do Not Belong in Residential Areas

• Exposure of pesticides in residential communities cannot be as controlled as the use of the same pesticide in agricultural areas;

• Pregnant women, infants, nursing and developing children, immunocompromised, the elderly will all be exposed to unknown quantities of whatever agents are used.

“Inert” Ingredients…

• … are not biologically inert and must be considered in any safety evaluation as must the delivery systems (e.g. plastic microcaps).

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Microcaps: 10-190 micron

Pollen: 15-100 microns

Need Must Be Justified

• There should be no question as to the need for the program.

• Pests should be subject to formal pest-risk assessments according to internationally accepted guidelines by a multi-disciplinary international panel of experts.

• Biology not trade politics should form the basis of pest classification and eradication programs.

The Cost of A Human Life

• Such programs should not be forced on residents when the primary benefit is only economic.

• A price tag should not be placed on a single human life.

• $750,000-$600,000 million?

Environmental Impact Reviews…

• …as are mandated in California, should not be obviated for economic reasons only.

Microcaps in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photograph: Jefferey Vance, Santa Cruz, CA November 11, 2007

Honor Individual Rights…• … of self-determination in issues of:

HealthSafetyEnvironmentHappiness

• Democratic governments and their programs inherently exist to serve the needs of communities; this must be first and foremost in any deliberations—political and scientific.

Be Careful Not To …

•…develop programs that pit public and agriculture interests against each other.

• Such battles are not in the long-term best interest of the public, agriculture, or government.

Please Consider These Principles… • … as you each engage in the

deliberations that will follow over the next 3 days. …

• …If you do not, recognize that residents often consider residential pesticide programs as physical attacks on themselves, their children, and communities and such programs have resulted and will continue to result in substantial public and political opposition and even armed resistance.

Socio-Political Opposition ofLBAM Eradication Program

• 30,000 petitions signed.• 32 city/county resolutions

representing 2.5 million citizens.

• Several legislative hearings.• Seven pieces of legislation

opposing various aspects of the LBAM eradication program.

• 3 lawsuits (2 successful) against the LBAM eradication program.

• Additional lawsuits pending.• Sabotaging of traps and

monitoring devices.

It is Never Too Late!

• …You still have time to change your powerpoints!