California IN BRIEF : SACRAMENTO : Initiative Targets Malathion Spraying

The aerial spraying of the pesticide malathion over cities to eradicate the Medfly would be banned by a ballot proposal that has won approval for circulation. The initiative would restrict the use of chemicals in eradicating the Mediterranean fruit fly and other pests, requiring that pesticides be state-certified as safe and used in combination with alternative measures. The proposal also would require advance notice to the public of ground spraying in state campaigns against pest infestations. Backers must have the signatures of 372,178 registered voters by Sept. 7 to place the measure on the statewide ballot. The state Department of Food and Agriculture has been spraying malathion over nearly 400 square miles of neighborhoods in Los Angeles and Orange counties in an attempt to eradicate the Medfly.