Light brown apple moth threatens California crops
Since it was first discovered in the San Francisco Bay Area in late March, the light brown apple moth has posed an increasing threat to California-grown crops.
Never before found in the United States, the moth attacks more than 250 plant species. It feeds on both the leaves and fruit of plants. The pest threatens a wide variety of California-grown fruits, vegetables and nursery crops.
The state and federal governments have enacted plant quarantines that affect movement of plants that can host the light brown apple moth. The rules affect farmers and commercial nurseries as well as home gardeners and community gardens.
The discovery of the moth also points to a larger issue: What's the best way to keep invasive pests out of California? Typically, invading bugs enter when someone, often an individual traveler, brings infested produce or plants into the country.
Preventing new pest invasions will protect farmers, home gardeners and the environment. But the number of agricultural inspections at airports, seaports and border crossings has actually decreased in recent years, since those inspections were taken over by the Department of Homeland Security.
Farm Bureau supports proposals in Congress to rectify that, by putting the U.S. Department of Agriculture back in charge of the pest inspections. Farm Bureau also encourages increased funding and research to prevent future pest and disease invasions.
For further information about the light brown apple moth, see:
For further information about the importance of agricultural border inspections:
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