press release
Marin County, CA: Stop the Spray Marin and other groups opposed to the spray are celebrating a victory since this announcement yesterday. But we still have our work cut out for us. Aerial spraying will continue over rural areas, and toxic, untested chemicals will be used on the ground, including the insecticide permethrin (toxic to bees and other beneficial insects and humans) on thousands of telephone poles, as well as other spray treatments and twist ties containing pheromones along with undisclosed ingredients. All of these methods are already being employed in places, and will continue into the future.
"The silver lining in all of this is that a movement has been born," said Judi Shils, Director, Search for the Cause, "not just about stopping the spray, but about working to eradicate toxic chemicals from every aspect of our lives. With the build up of chemicals in our air, food and water, we will continue to see escalating rates cancers, autism, asthma, irth defects, reproductive and respiratory disease along with other illnesses."
"We have the CDFA to thank for spurring a larger conversation across all walks of life about the reckless use of pesticides and the toll they are taking on our health and our environment. These practices are unsustainable and it is time for us to call for big changes in the way we approach commercial agriculture and view ‘invasive species,’" said Lisa Chipkin, Coordinator for Stop the Spray Marin.
Echoing similar sentiments from coalitions around the Bay Area, Tom Kelly, spokesperson for Stop the Spray East Bay added his thoughts. "We insist on greater disclosure, a right to know what we are being exposed to, and that government take a precautionary approach should similar situations occur in the future. A pesticide reform movement has been awakened in California and will continue to grow."
Since the sixties there hasn’t been a single issue that has mobilized the population, spawned so many grassroots organizations and rallied thousands of people, cities and communities around a cause. "We are reminded that when people unite to protect the health and well being of their families and communities, they are unstoppable," said Judi Shils.
