No General Aerial Operation Today - Tuesday 1 April

There will be NO general aerial operation to wipe out the painted apple moth today (Tuesday 1 April). The operation, planned to start on Monday 31 March, was delayed yesterday by rain and wind and is postponed today due to rain.

The situation is being closely monitored and a decision will be made after first light in the morning regarding the operation going ahead on Wednesday 2 April. The weather forecast is favourable for tomorrow and it is expected that the operation will proceed on Wednesday 2 April or on the first day that weather permits.

This operation will be the first in the recently reduced eradication zone, which after two cuts last month is now down to 8,100 hectares. The general aerial operation is likely to take more than one day to complete.

If the operation is carried out on a school day there will be no flying between 8.00 to 9.00am, 12.15 to 1.00pm and 3.00 to 4.00pm. This no fly time coincides with the times children are most likely to travel to and from school and eat their lunch.

The public can call the free phone 0800 96 96 96 or visit http:// http://www.maf.govt.nz/painted-apple-moth for general information about the programme. People can also listen to Newstalk ZB, 531 pi, AM 990 BC and Radio Korea 1386AM for updates.

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