Baldock Larry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Baldock Larry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:615;Page:11297] 
9.  
LARRY BALDOCK (United Future) 
 to the  
Minister for Biosecurity 
: Is the goal of the aerial spraying programme in west Auckland to eradicate the painted apple moth; if so why? 
Hon MARIAN HOBBS (Associate Minister for Biosecurity) 
 on behalf of the 
 Minister for Biosecurity 
: Yes the goal is eradication. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry estimates the potential economic impacts to planted forest horticulture and amenity values associated with the spread of the painted apple moth to range from $58 million to $356 million over the next 20 years. There are also possible impacts on market access and the conservation estate. 
Larry Baldock 
: How can the Minister reconcile that answer with spray programme project director Ian Gear’s comment made when he announced a halt to the spraying in Hobsonville and Meola Creek that the battle is being won as there has been a reduction in moth numbers; and does this mean that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is in fact having to admit defeat in the battle for eradication and that the ultimate goal is now one of “spray to reduce” rather than “spray to eradicate”? 
Hon MARIAN HOBBS 
: No it is the reverse in fact; it is actually a victory. The scientific experts advising the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry have recommended a reduction in aerial treatments as no sign of moths has been discovered in certain areas for some time. Apart from one moth found in the week ended 18 January no moth has been caught since May last year so we are confident that we are winning the battle against the moth. But we cannot afford to take any chances. The reduction will be on an area-by-area basis and the discovery of any remnant moth colonies may trigger further aerial operations. 
Lynne Pillay 
: What is to stop there being further moth incursions into New Zealand? 
Hon MARIAN HOBBS 
: Continuous improvement in biosecurity. This Government has spent more than $50 million a year more in baseline biosecurity funding than previous Governments and we have ensured that 100 percent of inward aircrew and passengers as well as sea containers are checked. More risk material such as giant African snails is being stopped at the border now because we are looking harder. 
Larry Baldock 
: Can the Minister assure the people of west Auckland that the department has in place sufficient monitoring controls to prevent the resurgence of the moth a return to spraying and all the subsequent inconvenience and possible health risks associated with it? 
Hon MARIAN HOBBS 
: The department obviously from an economic basis is absolutely sure that it will continue with the surveillance and with the stopping of passage of vegetation to ensure that we do not have a re-incursion. 
Larry Baldock 
: Can the Minister also assure the people of west Auckland that when the programme is all done and dusted and the show has left town the department will continue to have measures in place to advise or treat health problems not immediately apparent at the time of spraying? 
Hon MARIAN HOBBS 
: Yes.