California starts LBAM action plan

A USDA study found if California becomes generally infested with the light brown apple moth, LBAM would cause $160 million-$640 million in crop damage annually. It also would hinder exports and interstate commerce due to quarantine restrictions. The California Department of Food and Agriculture action plan affirmed it would take several years to eradicate the pest. The plan calls for treatment tools -- some that are currently used and others that are being developed or reviewed. The primary tool will be aerial treatment with moth pheromone, which is slated to begin June 1 in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.

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For more: California Department of Food and Agriculture, (916) 654-0317; www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps.

April 2008