A pesticide used on nuts, brussel sprouts and nursery stock as well as cherries and apples is being phased out by the EPA; but not quickly enough for some environmental groups and too quickly for growers. GLRC's Bob Allen reports:

Azinphos methyl or AZM is the main insecticide used in cherry and apple orchards. The cherry industry has zero tolerance for any insect parts found in the fruit. Whole truckloads of cherries have been dumped because of a single fruit fly maggot.

Michigan State University researcher Mark Whalon says so far there's no alternative to AZM that can do the job. He's been testing the use of alternatives in orchards for the last three years.

Read AZM PHASEOUT LEAVES FRUIT FARMERS HANGING by The Environment Report
See results of search on keyword 'insecticide' for The Environment Report
Read this related article on Absolute Michigan
Read about EarthJustice's campaign to Protect Farmworkers From Toxic Pesticides and find out how you can help! Your contribution would make a great holiday gift! (hint, hint)

The photo is from the Absolute Michigan Pool on Flickr.