6,500-Hectare Spring Aerial Operation On Today –
TUESDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2003

This morning’s fine conditions mean the 6,500-hectare spring aerial operation, against the painted apple moth will start, as planned, today - Tuesday 11 November.

Today’s operation is the second of the two scheduled spring treatments to wipe out the moth. It will take place in the same 6,500-hectare area treated in the first spring operation last month. The operation today is expected to get underway at first light, around 5.45am this morning.

During the school term, even though the aircraft may be in the air, there will be no treatment between 8 - 9am, 12.15 – 1pm and if necessary 3 – 4pm, the times most children travel to and from school and while they eat their lunch.

As a guide, and providing the weather remains favourable, the aerial operation is expected to take less than a day to complete. Treatment of all areas should finish before 3pm.

The public can call the free information line 0800 96 96 96 for status updates or listen to MoreFM (91.8FM) or Newstalk ZB (1080AM). People can also visit the resident’s page at www.maf.govt.nz/paintedapplemoth to register for email or text message updates on the status of the aerial operation. A map of the 6,500-hectare operation area and up-to-date information about the painted apple moth eradication programme is also available on the above website.

© Scoop Media