04/24/2008 GAAS:202:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Gov. Schwarzenegger Meets with Local Officials on Light Brown Apple Moth
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today met with a delegation of local
officials from Marin County led by Senator Carole Migden (D-San Francisco)
to listen to concerns regarding the light brown apple moth eradication
program. To reassure his commitment to public safety, the Governor also
announced that the state will postpone aerial treatment until acute
testing of eye, inhalation, respiratory and other potential irritants,
known as the "six-pack" toxicology test, is completed.
"I was
pleased to meet with Senator Migden and local officials today to discuss
the additional steps we are taking to reassure the public that we are
pursuing the safest, most environmentally-sound approach to eradicate the
light brown apple moth. The light brown apple moth is a serious threat to
California's forests and agriculture. If left uncontrolled, the moth would
have a devastating impact on our state's environment and economy.
"To thoroughly ensure the public's safety, the Department of Food
and Agriculture has engaged in a thorough battery of acute toxicity tests.
"I am confident that the additional tests will reassure
Californians that we are taking the safest, most progressive approach to
ridding our state of this very real threat to our agriculture, environment
and economy."
SCHEDULE OF AERIAL TREATMENT
The California
Department of Food and Agriculture is focused on the safety of the
pheromone to be used in the light brown apple moth eradication program,
and is awaiting the results of a thorough battery of acute toxicity tests.
The estimated date of those results will cause the target date for the
department to begin aerial treatment to be August 17, 2008 in the
Monterey-Santa Cruz coastal area.
INCREASED SAFETY TESTING ON PHEROMONE
PRODUCTS
For the Checkmate product (LBAM-F) used in the
2007 eradication program, additional tests were conducted on top of the
normal battery of tests and reviews conducted on state and federally
registered products. The National Marine Sanctuary contracted with UC
Davis to conduct freshwater and marine aquatic toxicology tests on aquatic
species and found no harm.
For the 2008 program, in addition
to the normal battery of tests, additional tests are being conducted on
the pheromone products that could be used in a treatment program to
eradicate the light brown apple moth:
§ The Additional Safety
Tests
o
"Six Pack" Toxicology Test - Are there impacts on humans or
animals?
§
Acute Oral Toxicity, Acute Dermal Toxicity (Skin), Acute Inhalation
Toxicity, Skin Sensitation, Acute Eye Irritation, Acute Dermal Irritation
(Skin)
§ Tests
results will be submitted to DPR and OEHHA for their
review.
o Aquatic
Toxicity Test - Are there impacts on marine or freshwater
species?
§
Being conducted by the California Department of Fish and
Game.
§ Test
results will be submitted to USDA, DPR and OEHHA for their
review.
THE PROCESS TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH
- The United States Department of Agriculture conducts the tests described above on the pheromone products.
- The test results are submitted to the Department of Pesticide Regulation and Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment for their review.
- The Department of Pesticide Regulation, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment and California Department of Food and Agriculture submit input on the products to United States Department of Agriculture.
- The United States Department of Agriculture selects the product to be used and goes out for 30-day public comment.
- The United States Department of Agriculture gathers input and, if no additional issues need to be addressed, issues a "Finding of No Significant Impact."
