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National media

For immediate release

Monday 9 September 2002

Forest owners welcome government decision on painted apple moth

The NZ Forest Owners Association (NZFOA) welcomes the government’s decision to expand the painted apple moth eradication programme.

NZFOA chief executive Rob McLagan says the announcement, made today by Biosecurity Minister Jim Sutton, will reassure trading partners that New Zealand is committed to eradicate pests that pose a serious threat to biosecurity.

“This is excellent news. Eradication is the only solution when it comes to dealing with incursions of exotic pests. New Zealand’s forest industry is worth more than $5 billion a year to the country’s economy and we can’t afford to risk a pest like this becoming established.

“There is a lot at stake, not only for the forest industry, but also for the citizens of Auckland – the home gardens, parks and reserves, and indigenous forests like the Waitakere ranges. This pest isn’t fussy about the vegetation it eats.”

He says the painted apple moth incursion is a wake-up call for travelers to exercise the greatest care when returning to New Zealand, to prevent exotic pests and diseases entering the country.

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