Report does not recommend moth spraying stop

4.30pm

An independent report into the health effects of an aerial spray over Auckland to kill the painted apple moth does not advise that spraying should stop, says the Acting Director of Public Health, Ashley Bloomfield.

Made public today, the report was commissioned by the Ministry of Health after people in the West Auckland spray zone expressed concerns for their health.

More than 10,000ha has been sprayed with the insecticide Foray 48B since May 1999, as a Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry biosecurity measure.

MAF says about two per cent of the population reported health effects, such as sore throats and headaches -- in line with expectations.

Dr Bloomfield said today the impact of the spraying on some people had been "very disruptive and uncomfortable" .

"We know that these impacts range from having to redo loads of sprayed washing to having to move affected family members out of the area on spray days. This creates a lot of stress for people who already have busy lives."

Although the report had referred to the "theoretical risk" that biological insecticides may make conditions like asthma worse, it had not recommended that spraying stop, he said.

According to a Potential health effects of painted apple moth aerial spray