May 23 2002

Rain and wind has again postponed targeted aerial spraying against the painted apple moth in west Auckland.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry had planned to use a small light aircraft as well as a helicopter for its sixth operation which was scheduled to start today at first light. A decision will be made at 4.30am tomorrow whether to go ahead.

The targeted aerial spray zone covers some 600 hectares and affects 3,000 residential and business properties.

MAF's programme against the painted apple moth is having an impact. Over the last three months, totals from the male moth trap catches have been dropping steadily and are well down from a peak of almost 900 moths before aerial spraying to just over 29 moths caught last week.

Ends

© Scoop Media