Ground spraying doesn't work
Ground-based and targeted aerial spraying against the painted apple moth has been tried already, Biosecurity Minister
Jim Sutton said today.
"It failed."
Mr Sutton was responding to comments by Green MP Ian Ewen-Street that targeted ground spraying should be introduced
immediately with limited aerial spraying for inaccessible areas such as gullies and the waterfront.
Mr Sutton said the complete cover spraying now underway was our last chance to achieve control.
"Excepting houses, hospitals, and schools ? even if technically feasible ? would guarantee further and final failure."
Mr Sutton said Mr Ewen-Street would be serving the nation better if he encouraged people to accept the verdict of New
Zealand and overseas experts that Foray 48B did not represent a serious health risk to anything but caterpillars.
"Scaremongering by anti-spray extremists threatens the eradication attempt by leading some gullible householders to
cover their gardens ? and thus also protect any painted apple moth larvae present ? during the spraying."
ENDS