Probe launched after story on orchard spraying

The Department of Labour has launched an investigation into the spraying practices of a Hawke's Bay orchard after neighbours were "drenched" in fungicide.

Pregnant Flaxmere mother, Nicolette Eatwell, contacted the Hawke's Bay Today after her property near a Kirkwood Road apple orchard was continually getting soaked during the orchard's weekly spraying.

Department of Labour's Napier Service Manager Murray Thomson said as a result of the story that ran in Hawke's Bay Today, an investigation had been launched into the matter with the orchard's owners Crasborn Group.

"Because the spraying was carried out in a workplace, any action, or inaction by the person spraying, should not cause harm to others," he said.

"Secondly, the department administers the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act legislation in places of work and as such we would need to ensure that requirements of that are being complied with in regards to storage, use and handling of the substance, if indeed, there are any requirements."

Ms Eatwell was just one of a number of residents affected by the spraying she said frequently saturated her property.

Other residents said no warnings or communication of any kind had ever been given when the orchard was spraying, despite calls to the orchard and to the Hawke's Bay Regional Council.

However, this week residents near the orchard received a letter from Crasborn Group operations manager Lee Arlidge, who was in charge of spraying at the orchard.

The letter apologised for "any anxiety" caused by "recent events" and asked neighbours for their phone numbers to notify them of spraying in the future.

Geri Hamilton said she had also seen signs being used and was happy action was being taken.

"The thing that annoyed me was that they didn't have the signs out to let us know, but they sprayed the other morning and had the signs out Orchard spraying being investigated

so that's good," she said.

At the time of print, Mr Arlidge had not responded to calls from Hawke's Bay Today.

Horticulture New Zealand director Ru Collin said coverage of the Flaxmere spray drift should not destroy the public's faith in the industry.

"The industry goes to considerable lengths to minimise situations that were described in last Saturday's paper," he said.

"Regardless of product group or style of growing, crop spraying is very much part of the horticultural scene.

"Since most of horticultural production across New Zealand is situated close to urban populations, spray application remains top of mind as it's very much part of our public face."

He said most spray application occurred without incident due to stringent industry and legislative guidelines.