Medfly Spraying

The recent actions taken by many city councils in the Los Angeles area to stop the aerial spraying of malathion are of great concern me. My husband, Mike, and I farm 26 acres of peaches and plums organically in the central San Joaquin Valley, near Fresno. In addition, we rent 40 acres which are managed as a low-input, sustainable farm. Our fruit has been sold at farmers markets in Pasadena and on the market in Los Angeles.

We decided to take the risk of farming organically four years ago out of concern for the health of our family, our customers and the environment. However, should the Mediterranean fruit fly escape your area and enter the San Joaquin Valley, we, nor any fruit and vegetable grower in California, would be able to farm organically. There are no natural predators in sufficient numbers to stop the devastation the Medfly would cause.

By impeding the government’s attempts to eradicate this pest, you are literally biting the hand that feeds you. I am sure that, should the Medfly be allowed to escape, we would no longer be able to farm and most small farmers would also lose their livelihood.

I am aware that the city councils’ actions are in response to public outcry. However, the money they plan to spend on suing the government could be better used to finance ground application by hand. This alternative would better serve their constituents in the long run. Basically the choice is spray now or pay later.

NORI NAYLOR

Dinuba