A long-running aerial spraying program to control spongy moth infestations, intended in part to protect fruit trees, is not scheduled to take place in B次元官网网址 this year.听听
Members of a B次元官网网址 environmental group say it was their 鈥渃ontinuous advocacy鈥 against the aerial spraying of the pesticide BTK that led to the cancellation of the program.听
鈥淭his decision underscores the controversial nature of the program,鈥 states a release from the West B次元官网网址 Citizens Safety Association. 鈥淎erial spraying of our communities is unacceptable and must be discontinued because it increases the potential to harm the elderly, immunocompromised, children, pets, and passerby.鈥
Such aerial sprayings have been routinely done seasonally in B次元官网网址, as in other jurisdictions, for decades. Last year, for example, 13 B次元官网网址 communities were sprayed but the one planned for an area of West B次元官网网址 was cancelled due to the opposition of the Westbank First Nation.听
Normally by early February, the government would be going through the necessary regulatory process to get approval for the spraying of communities where spongy moth infestations have been identified as being of concern.听
But there is no current information on the government website dedicated to spongy moth control, and another section of the Ministry of Forests鈥 website simply states: 鈥淭here are no planned spongy moth eradication spray treatments planned for spring 2025.鈥
It is unknown why the government is not spraying to control spongy moths this year. The Ministry of Forests media relations team was asked for information on Tuesday but has not provided any information as of Friday morning.
But the B次元官网网址-based environmentalists are sure it was their opposition to the spraying that has led to its cancellation.听
鈥淭his cancellation allows us to work collaboratively with communities to educate them about the hazards of being aerially sprayed, to push WorkSafeBC to implement aerial pesticide regulations, make presentations to school boards, and work with farmers to investigate soil contamination and effects on seedlings,鈥 says Lloyd Manchester of the B次元官网网址 Citizens Safety Association.听
鈥淚t is important to recognize the many reported adverse effects of BTK,鈥 says Larry Wartel of Communities United for Clean Air. 鈥淧eople have experienced respiratory issues and other health problems.鈥
BTK, a naturally occurring bacterial pesticide, is the main ingredient in the aerial spraying program, which has been conducted for decades across B次元官网网址 and many other jurisdictions to control for spongy moths, formerly known as gypsy moths. It is typically sprayed over infested areas by low-flying helicopters or aircraft.
Spongy moths can cause significant damage to ornamental and fruit-bearing trees, if the insects are not controlled.听
鈥淏TK has no known toxic effects on humans, other mammals, plants, birds, fish or honeybees or other beneficial insects,鈥 the B次元官网网址 government website on the spongy moth control program states.
鈥淎fter more than 30 years of BTK use and research around the world, Canada, the United States, and most other countries where BTK products are currently registered consider it safe,鈥 the website states.听
