Provided by Dr. Marion Fuller
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

Report Dated 06/04/98

Bradenton

Two more flies have been detected, both within the proposed treatment area, bringing the total fly count to 544 since the orginal detection on 5/12/98.

EPA approved three aerial treatments, to cover one life cycle. I do not have details yet on when the spray will take place - that will be decided shortly, after considering comments obtained at the public meeting. Comments were also sought regarding day vs nighttime application. Lastly, measures (similar, but not identical to those associated with previous bait treatments) will be undertaken to human and environmental exposures. Specifics will be provided in the next update - I do not have a copy of the approval letter yet, and do not wish to misinform you.

A public meeting was held at the Manatee County Civic Center to provide information regarding the aerial treatments, and to take comments from the participants. It began at about 7:00 pm and ended about four hours later. The meeting began with brief overviews:

• Background, impact on agriculture, general population of Medfly if established in Florida. Exclusion activities, and measures to decrease possible entry of a number of exotic species were mentioned.
• Impact on local economy. History of finds in Bradenton - use of ground bait to treat in hopes of containing the infestation. Recommendations by Science Advisory Panel to use aerial bait treatments.
• Explanation of Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) to eradicate. Pros and cons of SIT as compared to chemical treatments. Use of SIT in Miami, the areas surruounding the Bradenton/Palmetto infestation, area wide technique to cover from Sarasota to Tampa, west of I-75. USDA is expecting to receive 200 million flies beginning Monday.
• Discussion of Risk Assessment for human health
• Discussion of toxicity to and potential impacts on non-target organisms.

This was followed by a question/comment period, which at times became very emotional, and occassionaly confrontational as concerned citizens disagreed with either panelists or each other. Citizens were divided into two main groups:

• The first group opposes malathion and which views this program as a government atrocity - poisoning its citizens.
• The second group is made up of growers and members of the agricultural community - who support the use of malathion, and who felt that action had not been taken soon enough. They expressed concern for their livelihood, and don't view the use of the bait treatment as the hazard perceived by the first group.

Some of the comments/concerns included:

Comment - Objection to use of malathion, and outrage over lack of citizen control.
[Response] - Some citizens resent government applying pesticides (by air) whether it was wanted or not. Violation of individual rights. Outrage that government can to this. Likened to use of poisons on people of Iraq. Another likened it to tobacco, asking who can be sued - who is responsible for this decision to use malathion in this manner.
Comment - Objection to waiting so long for aerial application - and allowing infestation to grow this large.
Comment - Many citizens expressed fear and outrage that bait treatment is a poison - and is harming or killing their children.
[Response] - Several people have immunosuppressed children, children with serious medical conditions. Cited various studies that show adverse effects. Stated that they must leave the area to stay healthy - demanded to know who was responsible, who would pay - for their expenses to move out of the area, for the medical bills associated with the adverse effects from malathion.
Comment - Several people cited papers/studies conflicting with state's position on environmental degradation.
Comment - Many commenters referenced the California preventative release program.
[Response] - If they have it why don't we? California has successfully eradicated the Medfly using Sterile insects - no malathion. The lack of an SIT program demonstrates the placement of economic gains over health of children, others with serious illnesses, chemical sensitivities.
Comment - USDA/FDACS hasn't done enough to inform citizens of what they can do (e.g. fruit stripping). Not getting enough information out.
Comment - Some felt that fruit stripping should be mandatory.
Comment - Why are we spraying the citizens of Bradenton and not the farms we're trying to protect?
[Response] - They should be getting sprayed rather that the residents who object to the use of pesticides, and who don't benefit from the application, or who are actually harmed.
Comment - Establish a special committee (under the governor's office?) to direct use of sterile insect technique (SIT), alternatives to malathion.
Comment - Health Dept. should stay neutral - too closely aligned with agriculture.
Comment - Program should protect creeks, not just Manatee River.
Comment - Not an issue of toxicity, but of sensitivity - some people are more sensitive - immunosuppressed etc.
Comment - Several speakers talked of common points of agreement - everyone supports SIT, fruit stripping efforts. Focus on these things.
Comment - Several individuals stated that they have been using malathion and other pesticides more toxic than malathion for many years - and that they are healthy, as are their children.

Panelists attempted to respond to both direct questions and to address issues in comments that were offered. In general, opponents of the aerial bait applications did not accept panelists responses as being credible. Several moments became heated as growers and opponents opinions clashed. Opponents believe/remained convinced that malathion is dangerous, and is a signicant threat to them or their family's health. Fear that what we don't know or can't answer is a very real, and very serious, and that government is irresponsible in taking his course of action.

There were a few points of general agreement - use of sterile insects, value of fruitstripping, need for more/better information.

Umatilla

Update on Umatilla, and monitoring activities will follow in the next update.

FDACS - Division of Plant Industy: Mediterranean fruit fly information
USDA APHIS: Mediterranean fruit fly information
UF/IFAS Fact Sheet ENY-809: The Mediterranean Fruit Fly
UF/IFAS Fact Sheet ENY-626: Mediterranean Fruit Fly: What Floridians Need To Know