“Looking at an aerial map of Encinitas in the 1970s and 1980s compared to today, it’s sad,” Tony Kranz said. “The city had agriculture everywhere; we have to fight for small farms today.”
BUT, a new study from UC Davis says the exposure of pregnant women to agriculture may increase the incidence of babies being born with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Yet Encinitas Deputy Mayor Kranz wants to increase small agriculture in suburban neighborhoods, including bee hives. Bees? Our family-friendly suburban neighborhoods are to be living with swarms of bees if this guy gets his way? Really?
OK, so we’ve got potential killer bee swarms and potential and unstudied link between agriculture pesticides and autism. Way to go, Mr. “Hope and Change” Kranz. I am a strong supporter of the family farm and agriculture, but not in established suburban neighborhoods. That train left the station in Encinitas in about 1970. Most every family I know in my neighborhood has a backyard vegetable garden, and some even have chickens. This is great for the kids’ education, but VERY different from a commercial farming operation and commercial beehives!
Let’s hope the rest of the City Council can inject some common sense and protect the Encinitas quality of life from the threat of Mr. Kranz’ bees and possible disease.
Per the Encinitas Advocate in the June 18 issue: “…Along with reducing buffers, Kranz said an ordinance makes it easier for small commercial farms to obtain permits.”
Please see references below:
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/publish/news/newsroom/8978