Painted Apple Moth Aerial Spraying

HELEN WISEMAN-DARE (Chairperson, West Aucklanders Against Aerial Spraying) has today posted her candidate nomination form for the forthcoming General Election.

She will be standing as an Independent candidate for the Te Atatu electorate on an anti-aerial spraying platform, up against pro-spray sitting Labour MP Chris Carter.

She aims to give voters a choice and a way to express their concerns about the Painted Apple Moth aerial spraying. Many consider the spraying of Foray 48B over their homes and children's schools to be a gross violation of their human rights. The spraying, which has been taking place virtually every three weeks since January this year, has had a huge impact on the lives and health of many West Auckland residents and their children.

MAF regularly evacuates at least 21 people every time spraying takes place and many others pay their own relocation costs. Residents have been left to foot the bill for hundreds of dollars of health costs after suffering ongoing adverse health effects from the aerial spraying.

Residents' pet animals and birds have also been adversely affected and a horse suffering health effects was relocated by MAF after the first spraying. There have been reports of loss of birdlife and non target insect deaths including wetas and praying mantises.

This Tuesday 25 June Cabinet will vote on the future of the aerial spray programme. Many residents are determined not to vote Labour in the election unless the aerial spraying is permanently halted.

Helen Wiseman-Dare says that she believes a vote by the government for more aerial spraying will only mean more votes for her in the election.

WASP (West Aucklanders Against Aerial Spraying) Ph: 09 827 2516

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