The California Department of Pesticide Regulation caved to lobbying pressure from chemical manufacturer Arysta and approved the cancer-causing neurotoxin methyl iodide to be used in California's strawberry fields, which produce more than 80 percent of the nation's strawberries. The health and safety of millions of Americans are at risk.

The scientific concensus of more than 50 top scientists, including five Nobel Laureates and the DPR's own Scientific Review Panel, have concluded that this chemical is far too dangerous to be used in agriculture, and that the protective measures proposed by the DPR are far from adequate to offer protection.

Governor-elect Jerry Brown has a good environmental track record. He can help right this injustice. Sign our petition asking him to enact a moratorium on the dangerous chemical as soon as he takes office, and to enact the recommendations of the Scientific Review Panel.

Photo: Saxon via Flickr