Moth spray zone set to grow again

By ANNE BESTON

As biosecurity authorities prepare to expand an aerial operation against a moth pest to the North Shore, they are not ruling out a bigger campaign against the pest.

The latest expansion, an area of 1400ha centred around Hobsonville, pushes the total spray zone to more than 10,000ha, just 2000ha shy of the limit allowed under the Biosecurity Act.

But Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry painted apple moth project director Ian Gear said yesterday that he was not worried about breaching the 12,000ha limit set by the Government when the $90 million operation was approved in October.

"I don't have any concerns about that at the moment - if necessary it will be straight down to have a talk with [Biosecurity Minister] Mr Sutton," he said.

Birkdale, Beachhaven, Herald Island, Hobsonville and the eastern side of Whenuapai will be included in the next scheduled aerial blitz of painted apple moth on January 7.

It is the first time any part of the North Shore has been included in the spray zone.

The Hobsonville infestation is now regarded as a "hot spot" and as well as being included in the next spray round, a core 15ha infestation near Buckley Rd is being hit with the Btk insecticide by helicopter every 7 to 10 days.

Mr Gear said it was impossible to know why so many caterpillars were found at Hobsonville, 6km outside the original 8000ha spray zone.

"We had a hell of a lot of head-scratching about this, it's more than likely nothing but wind dispersal but obviously we can't be 100 per cent certain."

MAF is adamant its multimillion-dollar campaign is working despite having to expand the operation each time the next round is due.

Pt Chevalier and parts of Western Springs, including Auckland Zoo, were included for the first time in the second spraying round.

The ministry has faced mounting public opposition to the operation, with dozens of people demanding to be moved from their homes on spray days for health reasons. Anti-spray campaigner Hanafia Blackmore said the latest expansion appeared to be an attempt to hit the pest with a sledgehammer while MAF still had the chance.

"It really does seem like a last-ditch, shot-in-the-dark affair because they can see they are losing the fight against the moth," she said.

MAF is using a Fokker Friendship, a light plane and a twin-engined helicopter in its aerial operation, spraying every three weeks as the weather allows. The January 7 spray will be the fifth triple aircraft attack on the moth.

An earlier $11 million helicopter operation over 600ha of West Auckland was scrapped in favour of this campaign when it became clear the moth was still thriving. MAF has permission to continue this programme for three years but many scientists believe it may not survive its first review, due early next year.

Painted apple moth is a native of Australia and was discovered in Glendene in 1999. It is a voracious feeder and member of the tussock moth family.

The ministry estimates the moth is a $50 million to $350 million threat to forestry and horticulture.





Herald feature: Environment