Moth pest inquiry squashed by Government
National is angered that Labour and United Members of Parliament today voted to block an inquiry into the botched
management of the Painted Apple Moth saga.
"Biosecurity is crucial to the New Zealand economy, yet we are seeing one pest after another breach our borders," says
National's Environment spokesperson, Nick Smith. "That MAF did nothing for more than two years after the Painted Apple
Moth was first detected is a scandal.
"Labour and United MPs, by denying an inquiry, seem more interested in protecting officials and Ministers than in
ensuring we have the very best standards of biosecurity and that public health is protected.
"It is particularly galling that United Future voted against the inquiry when they have previously said they would
support one.
"Their argument that the Terms of Reference were not sufficiently strong in respect of the health effects of the spray
could easily have been addressed by amending the Terms of Reference rather than opposing an inquiry.
"Labour's argument that an inquiry isn't required because MAF is undertaking an internal review is weak when everyone
knows that a closed inquiry with no opportunity for public participation is very unlikely to get to the bottom of this
mess," says Dr Smith.
The inquiry was supported by National, ACT, NZ First and the Green Party, but opposed by Labour and United Future.