Hamilton moth spray massive overkill

The Greens are dismayed the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is pushing ahead with its aerial bombardment of Hamilton with the chemical cocktail Foray 48B, despite widespread community opposition and serious health concerns.

Green MP Ian Ewen-Street said today it was ludicrous MAF was so determined to poison large sections of the Hamilton community, after finding only one Asian Gypsy Moth.

"This is massive overkill. MAF appears to be making up for its extraordinary incompetence in the handling of the Painted Apple Moth infestation in Auckland by going overboard in Hamilton.

"Doctors surgeries in Hamilton can expect an influx of people with respiratory and skin problems, and other complications, after being doused in Foray 48B. This toxic compound is understood to contain such toxic concoctions as hydrochloric acid and propylene glycol (a chemical commonly found in antifreeze, and brake and hydraulic fluids).

"But it is impossible to know for sure, as the Government high-handedly refuses to reveal the contents of the spray to the public. For this reason, GPs will find it very difficult to treat their patients.

"In Auckland, people were referred to government-assigned doctors, but in the majority of cases these simply denied that the health problems were being caused by the spray.

"This is a case of the Government treating with disdain people's very serious health concerns, including those of the very young and the elderly. It has put a private company's commercial sensitivity ahead of the rights of the public. The people of Hamilton and Auckland deserve better than this."

Mr Ewen-Street said MAF should be concentrating on a pheromone-based moth trapping programme first, with any moths found initially treated with ground-spraying of Foray 48B.

"Aerial spraying should be the last resort."

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