Organic Farmer Defends Crop

Two planes were spraying a bacteria that kills gypsy-moth larvae when the unidentified farmer fired a weapon, striking one of the aircraft. . 

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Subject:   Some people REALLY do not like your "registered" POISONS---
Date:       Thu, 18 May 2000 15:09:34 -0400
From:        Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization:     Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)

To:     Lyndon Hawkins <hawkins@empm.cdpr.ca.gov>
          Senior Research Scientist
          State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation - Integrated Pest Management

Dear Lyndon, I thought you might like to read an article that appeared Tuesday, May 16, 2000, in the The Grand Rapids PRESS entitled: Police probe shot that hit crop-duster.  The pilot was not injured in the Sunday incident. -  ALLEGAN - by John Agar - The Grand Rapids Press.  

State police expect to turn reports over to prosecutors after a Lee Township farmer allegedly fired a gun and hit a crop duster Sunday night. Two planes were spraying a bacteria that kills gypsy-moth larvae when the unidentified farmer fired a weapon, striking one of the aircraft. Neither of the pilots was injured, but they were shaken by the incident, and returned to the Allegan airport soon after the 6:30 p.m. shooting.  

The pilots were in Allegan on Monday, but didn't want to comment because of the police investigation. They work for Al's Aerial Spraying in me Lansing area.  No one was available for comment at the office, a worker said.  

Kirn Pearson, the Allegan County gypsy moth coordinator, said ten pilots work around the nation, and said that shots being fired at planes has occurred before.  

The gypsy moth suppression program began Thursday and ended Monday morning.  The bacteria used in the process Is eaten by the gypsy moths and breaks down their stomach walls, eventually starving them.  

The bacteria affects only gypsy moths and isn't harmful to other insects or animals, Pearson said. She said that the suppression program has a short window during the development of the gypsy moth. Spraying will resume next year. The latest effort covered more than 16,000 acres.  State police suspect that the organic farmer believed that the crop dusters were dropping pesticide and fired warning shots. "The incident occurred near 56th Street."  

Well Lyndon, I do not advocate violence but, I can understand the organic farmer's frustration with being "legally" and routinely contaminated with your "registered" POISONS.  

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