Painted Apple Moth eradication programme

The fact the last aerial spray of the painted apple moth summer aerial eradication programme was completed in one day is a testament to the hard work and professionalism of the project team, project director Ian Gear said today.

“The aerial eradication operation is a huge logistical exercise and it is fitting that on the last day of the summer eradication programme we managed to finish the operation in one day.

Warmer than normal weather this autumn meant that an eleventh aerial operation was necessary today to ensure as many painted apple moth caterpillars as possible were eradicated before winter.

Only one moth has been caught during the last month which indicates that the eradication programme is on target.

“However we cannot be complacent and we must take a cautious approach to the eradication of the moth ”

MAF has recommended to the Minister of Biosecurity Jim Sutton that the winter eradication programme be targeted on a smaller area and be less frequent.

“As we must use the most effective eradication method to ensure the painted apple moth is wiped out, it may be necessary to use the Fokker plane for limited aerial operations again in the summer to ensure that eradication of the painted apple moth is successful.”

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