The USDA blog on hungrypests.com has reported that the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM), a highly invasive pest, is possibly spreading to another county in California.
They have written:
“…. Two examples of this are the new Light Brown Apple Moth finds in Southern California. Most recently, one LBAM was trapped in a lemon grove in San Diego County—the first find in that County. More LBAMs have been found in the Long Beach area of Los Angeles County, after more than 100 moths were found and quarantine established last year. Quarantine is established anytime two or more moths are found in an area, so any LBAM find is significant—but more than 100 moths means a population is likely establishing itself in the area….”
You can read the full post here.
What this means is that if another LBAM is found in the county of San Diego it too will be added to the 17 other quarantined counties in California and a phytosanitary certificate will be required to import regulated host species of plants, fruits and vegetables in to British Columbia.
Check back for more information as we find it out and check the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Directive to Prevent the Entry of LBAM frequently for updates, since this can be updated without notice. We will be doing the same thing.
Tags: LBAM, light brown apple moth, pest
LIGHT BROWN APPLE MOTH (LBAM) PROGRAM IS A FRAUD FOR MONEY.
The moth is a non-issue doing “NO CROP DAMAGE” per the California Department of Agriculture’s (CDFA’s) own Draft Environmental Impact Report (regardless of CDFA’s false claims of damage in the press). Legitimate science shows that the moth has been in California for close to 50 years, not “Just arrived” as CDFA fabricated to put a scare into California farmers.
This program has a primary purpose to bring $100 Million of taxpayer funds EVERY YEAR for up to 30 years to the budget of CDFA. Then most of those funds will be distributed to large corporate privileged insider chemical companies for Pesticide Contracts that are 100% unnecessary.
CDFA used the generic “Invasive Pest” hysteria that it would take over the United States, when that simply does not apply for this moth. The moth has nearly identical brothers and sisters and cousins already living here and after hearing about this moth for five years now and being here for about 50 years, it is already well balanced as one of the thousands of background insects in the California Environment.
If you have heard the false stories of LBAM damage, yes they are convincing when repeated over and over again. But contact the Agriculture Commissioner Office in the county where the damage was told and you will find out that there is NO DOCUMENTATION of any damage in any county in the state of California.
The quarantines, inspections and expensive pesticides forced onto farmer’s backs are real, but CDFA is the problem, not LBAM.
CDFA (with USDA’s assistance) has been manipulating Canada to maintain their stated official position on LBAM. Canada would be willing to cooperate and drop the inappropriate LBAM regulations that Canada adapted years ago to accommodate the U.S. to maintain a preferred trade status.
The top management at the CDFA who have perpetuated this fraud should be placed in prison for the fiscal crimes and moral crimes against taxpayers, children and the complete population of California.