Northern California

California County Proclaims Local Emergency to Allow Tomato Farms to Use Pesticides

California County Proclaims Local Emergency to Allow Tomato Farms to Use Pesticides
Tomatoes are seen for sale at a Ralph's Supermarket in Irvine, Calif., Nov. 28, 2016. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
Jill McLaughlin
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Officials of Stanislaus County in Northern California approved an emergency proclamation May 14 to allow local tomato farmers to use a banned pesticide to protect crops from the arrival of pests this year.

The proclamation allows growers to apply a pesticide banned this year by California to battle an infestation of the beet leafhopper, a tomato-plant-killing bug.

Jill McLaughlin
Jill McLaughlin
Author
Jill McLaughlin is an award-winning journalist covering politics, environment, and statewide issues. She has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. Jill was born in Yosemite National Park and enjoys the majestic outdoors, traveling, golfing, and hiking.