LBAM-based legislation passes state assembly

Staff report

Assemblyman John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, today announced that his Invasive Pest Planning Act of 2008, AB 2763, passed the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee by a vote of 4-0.

Representatives of the Sierra Club, the California Farm Bureau, the Wine Institute and the Citrus League spoke in favor of the bill.

“The California Food & Agriculture’s Light Brown Apple Moth program has led to more contacts with my office than any single issue during my time in Sacramento,” Laird said. “Clearly, the state was not adequately prepared for LBAM. This bill aims to put in place a pest planning process that prevents the kind of public fear and confusion we’ve experienced with LBAM.”

About the Invasive Pest Planning Act of 2008:

AB 2763, authored by Laird, would require the Department of Food and Agriculture to create a list of invasive animals, plants and insects that have a reasonable likelihood of entering California for which an eradication or control program might be appropriate.

For each invasive on the list, the department would prepare a written assessment on the most appropriate method of eradication or control. If pesticides were to be used, the assessment would have to discuss application methods, the chemistry of the pesticide and its inert ingredients, impacts on public health and the environment.

The department would be required to coordinate with the State Department of Public Health, the Department of Fish and Game, and other state health agencies and be required to hold public hearings.

If a pest was found, the department would be required to notify various local agencies, hold public hearings, and comply with other requirements.

For more information on the Light Brown Apple Moth issue, including key documents, correspondence, news and other information, visit Laird’s LBAM resource page at http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a27/moth.htm.