Disagreement over Light Brown Apple Moth

The Bay Area TV segment "CBS 5 Investigates" looked into the Light Brown Apple Moth controversy for a story posted to their Web site today and found contrary opinions to publicize.

The story opens . . . "The government claims it's an emergency. They say they have to conduct aerial spraying over the Bay Area immediately to eradicate the light brown apple moth. But a CBS 5 Investigation has found there may not be an emergency at all."

California secretary of agriculture A.G. Kawamura made the case for spraying. He said the emergency is so great, the state can't even afford to wait for an environmental impact report.

"If we were to wait a year, even 6, 7, 8 months, we might lose that window," Kawamura is quoted. "We stand an excellent chance to eradicate it if we act on it quickly."

UC Davis entomologist James Carey offered an opposing view:

"It won't work," Carey is quoted. "Historically, there is no precedent for this at all. None. The data argue absolutely for the impossibility of this eradication."

In an op-ed piece published in the April 16 San Francisco Chronicle, Kawamura outlines his reasoning for continuing the LBAM eradication program in the Bay Area.

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