HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-079A RESOLUTION OF THE BUTTE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SUPPORTING THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND
AGRICULTURE AND THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE IN THE PROGRAM TO ERADICATE THE LIGHT BROWN
APPLE MOTH
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the presence of the Light Brown Apple Moth (LRAM), which is originally
from Australia, has no natural predators in the United States and has currently been
confirmed in 14 Califomia counties, which include Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin,
Monterey, Napa, Santa Barbara, San Benito, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San
Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Sonoma, since its discovery by the
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the United States
Department of Food and Agriculture (USDA) in March 2007; and
WHEREAS, the LBAM is not known to naturally exist anywhere in North America and
could survive in many parts of North America, including the Sacramento Valley; and
WHEREAS, the introduction of the LRAM presents a threat to the Sacramento Valley's
natural environment and could cause billions in crop damage, lost sales due to
quarantines, and lost agriculture work for our citizens; and
WHEREAS, the CDFA and the USDA have been working diligently to eradicate the
LRAM using a mating disruption pheromone, a substance that. can be used safely to
eradicate the pest in order to reduce the use of other harsher pesticides to rid our state
of the LBAM; and
WHEREAS, the eradication program is based on published and peer-reviewed research.
The CDFA anticipates using a number of available approaches including ground
approaches such as twist ties and parasiticlstingless wasps and/or aerial spraying
depending on the level of infestation, size of treatment area, and other local
considerations; and
WHEREAS, more than 24,400 LRAM were found in the infested counties and most of
these were found in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties which poses a direct threat to
the San Joaquin Valley; and
WHEREAS, after aerial treatment for the LRAM in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties
last year, studies conducted by the California Department of Public Health and the Office
of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment determined that reported illnesses in these
areas could not be directly linked to the aerial applications of the mating disruption
pheromone; and
WHEREAS, the Butte County Board of Supervisors urges the California Department of
Public Health, Department of Pesticide Regulation and the Office of Environmental
Health Hazard Assessment to carefully evaluate the selected pheromone product prior
to its use and to continue to monitor the health of citizens during and after applications in
the treatment areas; and
WHEREAS, the Sacramento Valley supplies 25 percent of the Nation's fruits and
vegetables and it is imperative that this resource be protected from the threat posed by
the LBAM; and
WHEREAS, the County of Butte produced more than $500 million in gross agricultural
production in 2007: and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Butte County Board of Supervisors
supports the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Untied States
Department of Agriculture LBAM eradication program, continued monitoring of any
potential health concerns from citizens, and use of the least taxis yet effective methods
for eradication of the Light Brown Apple Moth, including the aerial application of mating
disruption pheromone when indicated.
ADOPTED by the Board of Supervisors this 24th day of June 2008.
AYES: Supervisors Connelly, Dolan, Kirk, Yamaguchi, and Chair Josiassen
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
UR JOSIASSEN, Chair
County Board of Supervisors
ATTEST:
C.BRIAN
and Clerb
By: