This is awfully big news for any Californian whose life has been affected by the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s unforgivable spraying of the families of Santa Cruz and Monterrey Counties in 2007 with the pesticides CheckMate LBAM-F and CheckMate ORLF.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ordered a ban on two controversial sprays used to battle the light brown apple moth (LBAM), ending a lawsuit filed by attorney Stephan Volker on behalf of environmental activ-ists and the mayors of Albany and Richmond.

Read the complete Berkeley Planet article regarding this critical lawsuit.

I woke up to this good news today and offered a prayer of thanks for this one small victory, all the while thinking of families like the Wilcoxes and Arons who must still deal with the consequences of the CDFA’s totally corrupt and abusive actions against Californians. My thoughts are with these families today, and my sincerest congratulations are extended to every person who participated in the hard work of this lawsuit out of a heartfelt need to protect the innocent from such egregious perils.

CheckMate LBAM-F and CheckMate ORLF are nightmarish substances which caused massive human injury and animal fatality. It is such a relief that a ban has been placed on them, but Californians will readily understand that no ban has been placed on the CDFA’s intention to continue their crooked and worthless ‘eradication program’ for the Light Brown Apple Moth with whatever pesticides they can get their hands on. Even while we celebrate this victory, we know the time of vigilance is far from over. More news to follow.