Moth decision still on hold

By ANNE BESTON

The Government has backed away from making a decision about the painted apple moth campaign in West Auckland until after the election, although spraying will continue in the meantime.

Biosecurity Minister Jim Sutton said yesterday that the Cabinet needed more information on whether the $11 million aerial and ground spraying programme should be ditched or extended.

It is the third delay in deciding the future of the campaign against the pest.

A decision was originally due in late May. Last week the Cabinet called for more information from Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry officials and said a decision would be made this week.

But yesterday a spokesperson for Mr Sutton said a decision would probably not now be made until August.

Mr Sutton said the Cabinet had asked for more details on two options: an all-out attempt to eradicate the moth and a management plan that accepted eradication was not now possible.

In the meantime aerial blitzing of the moth will continue, although the 600ha target zone has been slightly redrawn and extended. The next spray date is July 13 and will involve both a twin-engined helicopter and a light plane.

The continuation of the spraying was welcomed by conservation group Forest and Bird.

"The decision to continue with targeted aerial spraying is great news for New Zealand's native forests," said Forest and Bird's biosecurity awareness officer Geoff Keey.

The moth "chomps through a whole range of native trees".

nzherald.co.nz/environment