In May the California Third District Court of Appeals affirmed the California Fish and Game Commission’s authority to determine if insects can be protected under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). With that decision four types of bumble bees began the petition process to be included as a species protected under CESA.
Since then, California Citrus Mutual (CCM) and other agriculture groups have worked to halt this process by filing a review of petition. However, earlier this week our review of petition was denied by the California Supreme Court.
“While the decision is disappointing, this is not the end of the road,” said CCM President Casey Creamer. “We will continue to evaluate legal remedies while knowing these four subspecies of bumble bee are still only candidates for protection and must make their way through the 12-month status review process.”
CCM is monitoring the situation closely and will keep growers and industry members updated on new developments.
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