The Resource Management Act (RMA) is responsible for serious delays to the eradication of the Painted Apple Moth, ACT Conservation Spokesman MP Gerry Eckhoff said today.

"Clearly the Government is highly embarrassed at the spread that has taken place while the bureaucracy tried to figure out how to get around the RMA.

"This serious pest has the potential to decimate not just the Waitakere ranges, but much of the North Island's forests.

"The moth has spread over a much wider area, purely because spraying programmes cannot be enacted due to the RMA and district plans which prohibit low-level flying.

"The Minister, at long last, now plans to exempt the eradication programme from the RMA.

"Delays and cost over-runs are commonplace with the RMA. It does appear the bureaucrats are finally learning just how useless the RMA is when timely responses are essential.

"It appears there are two RMA's - one for the bureaucrats, and one for private individuals who receive no assistance by way of Ministerial intervention when they need help.

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