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As many homeowners distressed about the unjust citrus canker eradication program contact members of the Department of Agriculture, they receive a lengthy form letter. It claims the need for the program and attempts to justify it with Dr.Gottwald's experiment.
The following is quoted from the letter: "A year-long scientific study determined that the disease spreads approximately 1900 feet from an infected tree...and even farther during severe weather. The trees located within 1900 feet are not considered 'healthy'. They are exposed and could be harboring the disease but not yet showing symptoms. If the exposed citrus trees are not removed, once they do express symptoms, the disease will continue its spread. This science has been peer reviewed by plant pathologists world-wide and has been published in scientific journals."
Firstly, Dr.Gottwald published a paper about his experiment, which may have received a kind of "peer review". I wish to emphasize that the peer-review was only about the paper and not the experiment itself in the field. This experiment has been never repeated nor has it been confirmed by other independent scientists.
Gottwald never presented the actual records or figures of his experiment, despite requests by the Court to do so. It is considered lacking in reliable data collection and analysis. It should be mentioned that Gottwald himself did not recommend, in writing, eradication based on his experiment.
Quoting from his papers:
"Although this bacterial disease is mostly a leaf and fruit spotting malady....it is because of its socio-economic and political impact that the disease is so devastating"
(from LTE in Phyopathology)
"Can we live with citrus canker? - Several countries in Southeast Asia, South America and elsewhere have lived with canker for decades. In many cases their industry actually co-evolved with canker from the start" "Even if eradication is achieved, there is a high probability for introduction of Xac (canker) in the future."- "Introduction of the disease is a fairly regular occurrence."
The scientists participating in this experiment examined only how far canker bacteria travels before it falls to the ground. Professor Chester M. Himel, who conducted extensive citrus canker research, concludes that "Gottwald's research protocol is fatally flawed. He did not measure any dormant bacteria and he has no knowledge as to how or why or when dormant bacteria become active or active bacteria become dormant."
The Department of Agriculture's claimed "scientific justification" to cut every tree in a 1900 feet radius around an infected tree is baseless. There is no justification whatsoever to eradicate trees in home gardens to protect commercial growers, instead of applying proper preventive treatments in the groves.
Industry representatives apparently feel that it is a better deal to let the public pay for eradication, instead of spending their own money for more expensive treatments in the groves. And at the same time they can extend their market to homeowners.
An important aspect: there are no funds available for just compensation to homeowners for their lost trees. Just compensation would top the already much over 400 million dollars of taxpayers' money squandered on an ineffective and constitutional right offending program.
Peter Harsany, D.Sc. (Doctor in agricultural economics)
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Important!!! We need to know ASAP?
I found out yesterday that Bush is proposing to not
fund the Division of Aquaculture in the Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services. That would completely do away with shellfish
harvesting classification and water management (a Class II surface water
protection).
I haven't heard whether or not he is proposing to move these
responsibilities to a different program or privatize what they do. Come
July 1 2003, on paper the program as it is ceases to exist. 51 people
will be terminated.
FWCC and DEP are also slated for cuts, as well as other State agencies.
The budget in detail is on www.MyFlorida.com if anyone is interested.
Can anybody fill in the gaps here? What is
happening to DEP? To FWCC? Privatization of this Dept. of
Agriculture/Consumer Services part, etc. What of the overall
mechanism for protecting the environment?
...noname, 1/24/03
State opens Web site after dangerous spider found
WINTER HAVEN — The state established a new Web site about venomous spiders after one of the world's most toxic species was discovered at a central Florida home recently. Sixteen Chilean recluse spiders were removed from the Winter Haven home in July, prompting the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to put up the Web site with photos and information about them and other poisonous spiders found in Florida.
http://doacs.state.fl.us/~pi/enpp/ento/venomousspiders.htm 9/21/02
Novice leads key race for Cabinet
Miami-Dade educator David Nelson -- a library director at South Miami Middle School and an unknown in state politics -- held an early lead late Tuesday in the three-way Democratic primary for agriculture commissioner, a Cabinet post that oversees Florida's second-largest industry.
9/11/02
Updating the accounting for consumer protection
Just what is consumer protection? That's shaping up to be a big question in Florida's race for commissioner of agriculture and consumer services as Democrat Mary Barley bashes incumbent Republican Charles Bronson for ignoring the issue.
9/2/02
Put
the brakes on rip-off moving companies
As if moving weren't bad enough. Watching strangers pack your
belongings. Seeing them disappear into the back of a cavernous truck,
and being reminded that you'll soon be saying a more permanent
farewell to home and friends. 8/4/02
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Agriculture Concerns
- Charles Bronson (R), Florida`s Agriculture Commissioner, is busily
working to export Cypress trees out of Florida.
Dear Editor,
Charles Bronson (R), Florida`s Agriculture Commissioner, is busily
working to export Cypress trees out of Florida.
He recently launched a trade initiative to open the China market to
Florida wood products. Bronson views this "as a golden opportunity
for cypress producers to gain a foothold in that market."
China has banned logging in several provinces and has an insatiable
appetite for our trees.
Logging and mulching Cypress trees in wetlands has already devastated
much of Florida`s ecosystem that we depend on.
Not only has wildlife and bird habitat been reduced 50% statewide,
our water resources are drying up with the removal of the shade
producing trees.
Cypress trees help shade and protect the water levels in wetlands. Water
from wetlands feed the creeks, streams, lakes and rivers and also
recharge the aquifer.
Coastal estuaries are also dependent on functioning Cypress wetlands.
The brackish water marshes provide healthy breeding grounds for fish
populations.
The recent logging of old growth Cypress at Newnans Lake east of
Gainesville is an example. We must get local policies in place before we
lose all our Cypress trees to foreign export.
Cypress swamps are part of Florida`s heritage and need legal
protection locally and quickly.
Call Charles Bronson to quit his promotion of the export of Cypress
trees to China (850) 224-3300 or simply vote him out in November.
December McSherry, Agriculture Chair, Florida Chapter Sierra Club -
as appeared in the http://www.alachuapost.com
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