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
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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
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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.