Congressman Donalds must cut red tape for mosquito control
To the editor:
Florida is facing a real problem: The mosquitoes are getting too strong. Our old sprays are no longer effective because the pests are quickly becoming resistant. This is not just a nuisance; it’s a direct threat to public health and our tourism economy in Southwest Florida.
The solutions already exist, such as sterile male releases and Wolbachia bacteria. These methods are proven to work, but their approval is stuck in federal government EPA bottlenecks.
This is where Congressman Byron Donalds can provide a fresh direction in leadership. He has already demonstrated his ability to resolve complex government slowdowns. Recently, he led the effort to establish firm, 180-day deadlines for the Department of the Interior to approve necessary conservation plans, helping Florida organizations move more efficiently and ensuring our state received its vital resources promptly.
Donalds spends a lot of energy dissing the EPA. He could productively direct that anger towards the EPA. He should introduce a law mandating that the agency review and issue permits for all new mosquito-fighting biopesticides within a similar short timeframe. If the EPA cannot finish the review, the permit should be “deemed approved” locally, putting public health first.
We cannot wait years for bureaucracy to catch up with our resilient insects. Congressman Donalds can secure a clear mandate for change by streamlining this process and giving Florida the powerful, practical tools we need to truly win the fight against these biting pests.
Bebe Kanter, MS CEO,
Quiet Collier, Inc.
Naples