Constructive Response To Painted Apple Moth Report

MAF Praised For Constructive Response To Painted Apple Moth Report

The Forest Owners Association today commended the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for its constructive response to the Independent Report on its handling of the Painted Apple Moth incursion.

The report included serious criticisms of the way the Ministry has handled the eradication to date.

However the Forest Owners Association said the good news was that if additional technical and management measures were now implemented, the prospects of eradicating the Painted Apple Moth were good.

Forest Owners Association President Peter Berg said the Ministry had responded constructively to the criticisms in the report

“The Ministry has provided the forest industry with firm assurances that the deficiencies will be remedied.

“We accept those assurances and propose to work with the Ministry and other stakeholders to ensure that the Report’s recommendations are implemented as soon as possible.

“The success of the eradication programme is important for all New Zealanders. The Painted Apple Moth poses a threat to trees in home gardens and public parks, as well as both native and planted forests.

“The lessons which have been learned from the review should assist the country to respond quickly and effectively to incursions of exotic pests and diseases in the future which threaten our indigenous and introduced fauna and flora and export income.”

Mr Berg said the arrival of the Painted Apple Moth also drove home the absolute need for all New Zealanders to play their role in keeping out of New Zealand pests and diseases which could threaten all our livelihoods.

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