New study supports both sides of apple moth debate

<p>The National Research Council weighed in Monday on the controversial eradication efforts against the light brown apple moth, and both a federal agency and its critics are finding support in its conclusions.</p><p>U.S. Department of Agriculture expressed pleasure the independent council’s new report found, contrary to critics, that the agency was correct in declaring the moth an “actionable” pest. That designation has prompted special quarantines against the moth in Sonoma County and elsewhere around the state.</p><p>But critics noted the research council found the agency’s proposed response to critics failed to present “its justification in a scientifically rigorous way or with sufficient clarity.” Similarly, the response did not portray “the most likely magnitude of economic harm” caused by the moth.</p><p>“It’s all of these basic assumptions that aren’t supported by science,” said Nan Wishner, a spokeswoman for Stop the Spray East Bay.</p><p>But Larry Hawkins, a spokesman for the agriculture department, said the key point is that the research council agreed with his agency that the moth merits its listing as a pest to be fought.</p><p>The critics, he said, “didn’t like our science so we went to independent science to have that reviewed.” </p><p>The agriculture department asked the research council earlier this year to review the agency’s draft response to critics’ formal request to downgrade the threat level of the moth, a move that would end the quarantines.</p><p>The moth, a native of Australia, was confirmed in California two years ago. Since then inspectors have trapped more than 110,000 apple moths and placed nearly 3,500 square miles of land under quarantine.</p><p>That includes almost a fifth of all the vineyards in Sonoma County. Quarantined growers face restrictions in moving their crops, but county officials have said none have been prevented from reaching market.</p><p>Critics contend the moth isn’t a real threat and eradication is impossible. The state is now taking comments on proposed environmental studies of proposals to eradicate the moth, but Wishner said the research council’s report “definitely supports our contention” that the state’s approach is flawed.</p><p>But Hawkins said the research council didn’t agree with critics to “just drop everything” regarding the moth. His agency is listening to critics, he said. “It’s just that our conclusion and their conclusion differ.”</p>