By ANNE BESTON
A delayed report pointing to possible health risks from a multi-million-dollar biosecurity spray operation will be released next week, the Health Ministry says.
A spokeswoman for the ministry, which commissioned the Wellington Medical School study into the effects of the Foray 48B used against painted apple moth, said the
report had been delayed "longer than we hoped".
But yesterday, Green MP Ian Ewen-Street called for a select committee inquiry into the report's delay. The study, by Dr Simon Hales and Professor Alistair Woodward, is understood to confirm ill-effects from the aerial spraying and recommend further research.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said last week it was not released because it had not been fully peer reviewed.
Thousands of West Auckland households have been subjected to aerial spraying for more than two years and residents formed anti-spray groups to protest.
The spray's ingredients were given the all-clear by the Environmental Risk Management Authority.
MAF has always insisted the spray was safe but could cause respiratory irritation and health problems for people with asthma and other medical conditions.
Meanwhile, spraying went ahead yesterday in the second-to-last aerial operation.
One last operation is scheduled next month.
Herald Feature: Conservation and Environment
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