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.