Apple moth spray secrets questioned
Subject: Apple moth spray secrets questioned
Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2002 17:36:44 -0500
From: Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization: Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)
To: Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
Director, State of
California, Department of Pesticide Regulation
cc: Christine Whitman whitman.christine@epa.gov
NEWS - Apple moth spray secrets questioned
Green Party biosecurity spokesman, Ian Ewen-Street, hopes to find out the secret ingredients in Foray 48B when he meets representatives of the health, agriculture and forestry ministries on March 14.
Neither ministry will reveal what chemicals are used in the
spray, being used in a bid to kill painted apple moths in west
But Mr Ewen-Street, who will meet representatives from the ministries as a member of Parliament's primary production committee, hopes to get some answers
"The ingredients of the spray used, Foray 48B, have been kept a secret for commercial reasons," he says. "But surely people have a right to know what they are being sprayed with."
The meeting follows two controversial rounds of spraying over infested areas at Glendene, Kelston, Avondale and Te Atatu South.
A third round is due to start Friday.
Both ministries claim spraying is safe but advise residents to keep doors and windows closed for about two hours after it ends.
Health complaints are among general inquiries to staff manning a special telephone hotline, set up when the spray programme started earlier this year.
Officials citing privacy laws won't disclose information relating to reported problems.
But several callers to the Western Leader claim the spraying has affected their health. Symptoms include breathing difficulties and diarrhoea.
Others fear for their children's safety. The ministry has yet to see the final results of an Auckland District Health Board report into the spray's effects on human health.
"I will be looking for answers about how and why a relatively small biosecurity breach has been mishandled to the point where it has become a full blown debacle," says Mr Ewen-Street.
"I also want to know whether MAF did actually provide free medical advice to any affected residents or whether they just told them to go and see their local GP."
The briefing is at Parliament House and will be open to the public.
PROTESTERS READY FOR SECOND MARCH
Disgruntled west Aucklanders will protest against painted
apple moth spraying during a street march at
Protesters will assemble outside the Ministry of
Agriculture and Forestry's operational spray headquarters at Pioneer St, at
The march, organised by the West Aucklanders Against Aerial Spraying Group, is a repeat of an earlier exercise that attracted about 25 people.
Organisers expect a bigger crowd at this month's march.
"A number of west Aucklanders are getting sick from
the spray," says
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