Moth Spray Resumes As Opposition Mounts
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Moth Spray Resumes As Opposition Mounts
Date:
Mon, 23 Dec 2002 06:14:20 -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
cc: clearance@inl.co.nz
Moth spray resumes as opposition mounts - FRIDAY , 20 DECEMBER 2002
Aerial spraying to kill the painted apple moth resumed over west Auckland today as new infestations were found and locals stepped up action to halt the spraying on health grounds.
A helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft began spraying at first light today in the fourth of the planned 10 phases of the aerial operation.
West Auckland residents have started legal action against the Government, backed financially by the Waitakere City Council, to stop the $90 million spray programme to kill the imported Australian pest.
However, after finding caterpillars near the Hobsonville air base, which is outside the spray zone, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said the spray programme would continue and the spray zone would be expanded.
Project director Ian Gear said the Hobsonville find was an isolated outbreak but surveys would continue between Hobsonville and the main area of infestation.
He said the moths could have flown to Hobsonville or could have been carried there on foliage being moved around the area.
Mr Gear said the protesters trying to stop the spray programme failed to realise that if the moth became established in New Zealand, it would have a severe, long-term and damaging impact.
"Generations to come will not thank us for letting it get away."
He said if not stopped the moth was predicted to take 10 years to spread through the North Island and 20 years to spread through the South Island.
The moth had already developed a taste for native kowhai and karaka and could seriously damage native eco-systems, commerce, horticulture, parks and gardens and the pine forests.
"There is another important thing the anti brigade is missing. If this pest establishes and becomes a garden pest in New Zealand, which it will because of the range of tucker it likes, then we will end up with a whole lot of indiscriminate use of pesticides in people's gardens as they endeavour to combat the pests - that is the reality."
Mr Gear said $9 million - 10 per cent of the $90m programme - had been set aside to meet health issues arising as a result of the Foray 48B spray.
He said the ingredients of the spray all fell below the threshholds set by the Environmental Risk Management Authority.
Some people may have valid medical concerns and conditions.
"The health service is there to help them. We have met those concerns."
Mr Gear said some people would be moved to motels or baches during the spraying.
He said some of the protesters were misinformed and were being deliberately obtuse.
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