Painted apple moth Media release
1 June 2002

Spraying today against moth pest

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will start its sixth operation of targeted aerial spraying against the painted apple moth west Auckland at first light this morning (about 7am).

The operation - originally due to start Tusaday 21 May - has been continually hampered by very bad weather.

For the first time MAF will use two aircraft to cover the area faster. A small specialised plane will target the large residential blocks in parts of Kelston/Glendene and Te Atatu and the Waikumete Cemetery while the helicopter concentrates on the tricker runs alongside the north-western motorway and seaward margins around Waterview, a small strip of Kelston and the Avondale Peninsula.

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

For more information please contact: Mary-Ann Crawford Painted apple moth project communications MOB: 021 648 117 or Kelli-Jo Walker MOB: 021 674 080

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