The controversial spraying of the olives against the olive fly has been banned by the EU and baiting methods are used instead of poisons. However, the Greek Department of Agricultural Development decided to control olive flies in Crete spraying the olive trees with Lebaycid, a highly toxic and inefficient chemical. On 2005, the same Department decided that Lebaycid should be used only until December of 2007. The reason of the reintroduction of such chemical control is that Department of Agricultural Development owns a large stock of Lebaycid.
Another aggravating factor is going to be added to our food through olive oil, which should be protected as a product of major importance for local diet, culture and economy.
