Hamilton residents vow to continue spray fight

By ELIZABETH BINNING

Hamilton residents will continue to fight MAF's aerial spraying campaign against the Asian gypsy moth - even though it has been given final approval.

Cabinet yesterday approved funding for the $11 million campaign, which will see thousands of properties sprayed with pesticide from the first week of October until late December.

The pest poses a threat to New Zealand's native and commercial forests. However anti-spray campaigners are concerned about the health risks associated with the pesticide, Foray 48B, and plans are under way to try to stop the operation.

Stop the Spray spokesman Phil Evans said protests were planned and a new subgroup called WATCH, Waikato Against Toxic and Chemical Hazards, has been formed to help fight the spraying.

"Pesticides are chemicals and people and chemicals don't mix. We are going to do everything that we can [to stop it]."

Biosecurity Minister Jim Sutton said though only one moth had been found in Hamilton there was no option but to start aerial spraying.

"We probably have one chance only to keep New Zealand free of one of the world's most feared forest pests. We cannot sit back and wait for more moths to be found, because by then it might be too late."

Mr Sutton said part of the funding approved by Cabinet would be used to provide health services to people affected by the spray.

The spraying will cover 1250ha.

Waikato Medical Officer of Health Dr Dell Hood said the spray, the one used in Auckland against the painted apple moth, had been licenced for use in New Zealand since 1984.

There was "good evidence" that the spray was not generally harmful to humans, however, some people could experience an allergic reaction.

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry spokesman Peter Thomson said information about the health risks, spraying dates and campaigns would be made public in the next few weeks.