Calif approves use of pesticide linked to cancer

[catgirl]

Source: Associated Press

FRESNO, Calif. – California regulators approved a pesticide Wednesday for use by fruit and vegetable growers despite heavy opposition from environmental and farmworker groups that cited its links to cancer.
The state Department of Pesticide Regulation will register methyl iodide as a substitute for the pesticide methyl bromide, which is being phased out by international treaty because it depletes the Earth's protective ozone layer.
California's $1.6 billion strawberry industry will undoubtedly provide one of the biggest markets for the chemical, as will the Central Valley's nut orchards and the fresh flower nurseries dotting the coast in Ventura and San Diego counties.
The pesticide is included on California's official list of cancer-causing chemicals, and the department's own scientific advisory panel has raised concerns that it could poison the air and water.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101202/ap_on_bi_ge/us_farm_pesticide;_ylt=Akryxth6IRbRKO24gAuBKX6s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTFpaGcxMTkzBHBvcwMzOARzZWMDYWNjb3JkaW9uX21vc3RfcG9wdWxhcgRzbGsDY2FsaWZhcHByb3Zl

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This is why I only buy organic fruits and vegetables. They're safer and the farmers deserve the business.

[snagglepuss]

1. No more Californian almonds for me. I stopped buying strawberries. nt

[avaistheone1]

2. This is sickening news.

Is this chemical used on almonds?

[snagglepuss]

6. Brief but informative article.

http://westernfarmpress.com/management/methyl-iodide-controversy-continues

[avaistheone1]

7. Thank you.

Quite a good article. I am going to forward this on to a very friend who I am sure will be interested in it.

This chemical is not good for people or soil. It sucks.

[Le Taz Hot]

12. There are organic almond and strawberry farmers in CA.

Please don't punish them too. And keep in mind more and more farms in California are going organic as they can get much more for their crops.

[Haole Girl]

3. WTF is wrong with people?!

Never mind, I know.

:grr:

[Tempest]

4. Department of Pesticide Regulation: Appointed by Arnold

The department is non-elected and appointed by the governor.

Hopefully Brown's first act will be to remove everyone from the department and reverse this decision.


Mary-Ann Warmerdam was appointed as Director of the Department of Pesticide Regulation on September 7, 2004 by Governor Schwarzenegger.

She's a former PG&E lobbyist.

[defendandprotect]

5. As corporations replace government .... more poison, more illness ....

[catgirl]

8. Good point

and the repugs want smaller government. Heh.

[defendandprotect]

10. A long time ago they were saying that when government was

pushing cases, they'd show up in court and now it was the corporations

who had the greater number of lawyers -- elite lawyers -- and the government

who was in the lesser role -- and that was a loooong time ago.

Small government, unable to react sufficient to control crime and dark deeds

is exactly what they want.



:)

[conspirator]

13. +1. And let me add ... less nutrients n/t

[StarsInHerHair]

9. nothing but Californian ORGANIC strawberries 4 me but I've

known for years about the amounts of pesticides in commercial strawberries. Farmers' Markets seem fine.

[SpiralHawk]

11. Big Ag and Big Chem win. The people lose.

Thanks a pantload for the poisons, you so-called Regulators.