Media Release
10 September 2002
Moth Money Should Go On Border Control
New Zealand First Biosecurity Spokesperson Brent Catchpole has called for the $90 million allocated for spraying painted
apple moth in West Auckland to be spent on tighter border controls instead.
He said that official advice is that the spraying programme is unlikely to eradicate the pest so it is little use
throwing good money after bad at the problem.
“MAF officials knew for eighteen months that the moth was here before any action was taken. The pest has now spread to
the extent it cannot be contained and that is from the mouths of those officials involved.
“In light of the failed eradication programme to date and with no guarantee of success for the new effort, it would be
better now to spend the money beefing up our border controls to keep other pests out.
“Labour promised three years ago to tackle the problem yet we are constantly hearing of new species arriving undetected.
“It is time to stop putting West Auckland through pointless spraying, which appears to have more effect on the residents
than the moth,” said Mr Catchpole.
ENDS