Government opens $12m war chest to tackle pests

The Government says it will spend nearly $12 million on managing three highly invasive New Zealand pests.

Biosecurity Minister Jim Anderton said $11.81 million would be spent over two years to deal with didymo, the sea squirt Styela clava and painted apple moth.

The money would be spent on monitoring and slowing the spread of didymo and the sea squirt.

Painted apple moth funding would be used to continue surveillance for the pest at high-risk sites.

Mr Anderton said a paper on didymo from Biosecurity NZ and the Department of Conservation highlighted the need for agencies, industry and the public to work together to get the best results.

Further work was continuing between the Mussel Farming Association, New Zealand King Salmon Company, Port Marlborough, the Marlborough District Council, the Cawthron Institute and Biosecurity NZ on managing a second sea squirt pest, Didemnum vexillum, Mr Anderton said.

"The Government will be reviewing funding in the near future to look at the potential allocation of funds for Didemnum vexillum management."

- NZPA