Facts to Consider - Painted Apple Moth

As MAF prepare to report the status of the Painted Apple Moth eradication operation to Cabinet, the political decision makers must now consider the following facts:

1) Hot-Spot Spraying is aerial spraying - a distinction between the hot-spot spraying and blanket spraying can not be made. Why?

Hot Spot spraying is the aerial spraying of well-over 800 hectares (plus a drift zone around each area), with the pesticide Foray48B, every week. Hot spots include areas where there are schools and day care centres and businesses as well as peoples homes. The hot spots currently being sprayed have already been sprayed many more time than the 6-8 times originally projected in the Health Risk Assessment.

2) One hot-spot, Waikumete Cemetery, has been aerially sprayed 42 times, and is STILL producing egg masses and larvae 15 months down the track The hard questions are not being asked. Is aerial spraying actually working, or is the community 'collateral damage' in a political biosecurity/pest war?

3) The present formula of Foray 48B (being used since February 2003) contains BIT a chemical which sensitises people causing allergies as a result of repeated exposure. Aerial spraying, including hot spot spraying, constitutes repeated exposure. No health risk analysis has been completed for use of the new spray formula, containing BIT, to be used in Auckland.

4) The Ministry of Health has undertaken to review the health issues which have been raised by the community, and substantiated, in view of inadequacies found in the original Health Risk Assessment, as well as in the findings of several independent studies. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry can no longer assume the position that "the spray is safe".

4) Other safer methods of eradication must be employed without delay.

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