Head threatens to close high school during aerial spraying

By AINSLEY THOMSON

Government officials are working to stop the closure of Hamilton's largest school during aerial spraying to eradicate the asian gypsy moth.

Hamilton's Fraser High principal Martin Elliott says he will tell staff and students he cannot guarantee their safety and will advise them to stay home on spray days unless the Government provides compensation and help for the disruption the spraying causes.

Mr Elliott said eight staff members had suffered serious health problems from the spray and had had to take time off.

Within two hours of spraying, a female teacher had an allergic reaction and required urgent medical help. A further five staff had been moderately affected.

The school was having difficulty finding relief teachers.

The bill for relievers is estimated at $20,000 - a cost Mr Elliott said the Government should meet."I'm not going to let them go sideways on it."

Mr Elliott also wants staff suffering ill health to be properly looked after and not to lose any sick leave for the time they take off because of spraying. "We at the school believe in the biosecurity of New Zealand and we will do our duty. But for the staff affected we want the Government to take legal and moral responsibility."

Mr Elliott said that after he raised his concerns the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry called a hasty meeting at his house on Friday night.

He said Maf gave verbal assurances it would look after sick staff.

Maf forest biosecurity director Peter Thomson said yesterday that the ministry was concerned about the level of disruption the spraying had caused at Hamilton's Fraser High - a problem not experienced in Auckland schools during the painted apple moth campaign.

A doctor and nurse were now placed at the school on spray days and Maf was meeting staff suffering health problems to arrange additional advice and support.

However, he said monetary compensation for relief teachers and sick leave entitlement were decisions for the Ministry of Education.

A Ministry of Education spokesman said it had received a letter from Mr Elliott about his concerns and it was considering the issues.

Mr Elliott, who has the support of his school's board of trustees, does not mind which Government department provides compensation - as long as it is provided.

He said he was giving the Government one week to act or he would tell students and staff to stay home on spray days, effectively closing the school. Yesterday, he called in Occupational Safety and Health officials to make an independent report on the health effects, as he was not convinced Maf doctors were impartial.

Osh said its investigation - the first into the asian gypsy moth spraying - would be done this week and it would not comment until then.


The spray

Foray 48B is made up of water and a naturally occurring bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk).

The Btk produces a protein which suppresses a caterpillar's appetite. The caterpillar slows down and dies within 7-10 days.

The spray was used in Auckland's eastern suburbs to eradicate the white-spotted tussock moth in the 1990s.

It is currently being used in West Auckland against the painted apple moth.

A health information line has been set up on 0800 969-696.