Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Food and Sustainability
  • Environment
  •  

California Pesticide Spray Ban Could Hamper Effort To Curb Citrus Pest

  •  Julia Mitric 
Thursday, March 1, 2018 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Agricultural Research Service / Wikimedia Commons

An adult Asian citrus psyllid on a young citrus leaf.

Agricultural Research Service / Wikimedia Commons

A Sacramento County Superior Court ruling says the California Department of Food and Agriculture must stop using nearly 80 pesticides on public and private property throughout California.

Jonathan Evans with the Center for Biological Diversity is one of the plaintiffs in the case. He says last week's decision still allows the CDFA to use a variety of other methods to address pests.

"But [the state] can't use pesticides until [it] addresses how those pesticides are going to impact communities affected and the sensitive wildlife species and watersheds that will be sprayed," Evans said.

The pests in question vary from the glassy-winged sharpshooter of northern vineyards to the Asian citrus psyllid, which lives in residential fruit trees in Southern California.

The Asian citrus psyllid causes Huanglongbing, an incurable disease that decimated Florida's citrus industry.

Dr. Elizabeth Grafton-Cardwell is a UC Riverside entomologist who studies the efficacy of pesticides at limiting the spread of Asian citrus psyllid. She argues this ruling is a huge setback because it removes the state's best tools in this fight.

Cardwell says the pest first appeared in Southern California in 2008 and then Huanglongbing disease showed up in 2012.

Since, "the state has managed to contain it to three counties in California — for the moment," Cardwell said. "But it's starting to spread very rapidly and so it's the most critical point in time to limit the psyllid spread."

Cardwell says staving off the spread of this pest is crucial to buy time for scientists working on gene editing and other potential long-term cures.

The CDFA issued the following statement in response to the court ruling: "Protecting agriculture and the natural landscape from invasive pests is a core mandate and an essential function of our agency. CDFA will comply with the judge’s decision and conduct any future program activities in compliance with CEQA as necessary. The Department is considering an appeal."

 


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

 environmentpesticidesSacramento Superior Courtagriculture industry

Julia Mitric

Former Food And Sustainability Reporter

For Julia, food and life are inseparable.   Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Food and Sustainability Stories

Randol White / CapRadio

‘Overwhelming’ inflation affecting Sacramento restaurants — and chicken spots may be hit hardest

August 15, 2022

Most Viewed

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Stalled U.S. Forest Service project could have protected California town from Caldor Fire destruction

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California coronavirus updates: CDC director announces shake-up, citing COVID mistakes

California is giving millions of kids up to $1,500 for college or career training. Here’s how to get it.

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Stalled U.S. Forest Service project could have protected California town from Caldor Fire destruction

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California coronavirus updates: CDC director announces shake-up, citing COVID mistakes

California is giving millions of kids up to $1,500 for college or career training. Here’s how to get it.

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.