West Auckland facing aerial bombardment to get rid of pest

By ANNE BESTON

Biosecurity authorities are considering a $5 million aerial spraying campaign to get rid of an unwanted moth in West Auckland.

If it goes ahead, the campaign against painted apple moth will probably involve the same spray used to eradicate the white-spotted tussock moth from Auckland's eastern suburbs in 1996-97.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has come under fire over its efforts to eradicate the painted apple moth, discovered in Glendene in 1999. The moth is a threat to our forestry industry, and estimates put the cost of its spread at $48 million over 20 years.

An independent review has said the ministry could be doing more and recommends an aerial spray programme.

MAF biosecurity director Barry O'Neil said the spraying would not go ahead without consultation with residents. Further studies were also needed to prove that the spray used in 1996-97, Bti, would kill the painted apple moth, an Australian pest.

Government approval for the $5 million programme was also required.

Spraying would not start before September or October and it was hoped a helicopter could be used instead of fixed-wing aircraft.



Other recommendations from the review, carried out by Dr Andrew Liebhold of the US Department of Agriculture and New Zealand biosecurity consultant Dr Bruce Simpson, were breeding more female moths to trap male moths and restricting plant material moving in and out of the infected area.

Dr O'Neil said residents in the infected areas, which include Avondale, Glendene, Glen Eden, Kelston and Titirangi, were aware of the dangers of moving plant material but more needed to be done and the report recommended a communication strategy aimed at local households.

East Auckland residents complained of health effects from the 1996-97 spraying programme, but this $12 million effort had completely eliminated the pest.

Dr O'Neil said the painted apple moth was less likely to spread as the female could not fly, but it had been discovered in two native trees, which raised concerns about its ability to adapt to local conditions.