Revisiting the Dateline Documentary - Life under the Spraying

Just in case you are not so sure what all the fuss over aerial spraying is about, you can view the Dateline documentary here.
(Look at the Spray Day documentary.)It describes life under the aerial spraying of West Auckland, and interviews some key players in the drama. It shows the gulf between the politicians and the affected residents. It is the documentary which first publically exposed the suspected "other ingredients" ( besides the Btk bacteria) of Foray48B. You can hear a MAF director stating that he would be happy for his children to be sprayed. You can hear the Minister of Biosecurity state that any health impacts from the spray cannot be proven. This was initially shown on TV in 2003. The anger that people in the community felt about being sprayed against their will with chemicals that made some very sick, is still simmering in the community in 2005. This was evident by the high turnout at the recent public meeting which gave a unanimous vote of approval for the upcoming People's Inquiry.

Whither the Monarch Butterflies?

Apparently the numbers of Monarch butterflies have dropped in recent years, and Jacqui Knight, the spokeswoman for the New Zealand Monarch Butterfly Trust "fears aerial spraying for the painted apple moth might be responsible".( Western Leader, Aug 11th, 2005) Again if no research is being done before or after the aerial spraying with the moth-killer Foray48B, who can say for sure? However you can help the research of the NZ Monarch Butterfly Trust by reporting online any Monarch Butterfly sightings.

Written 3 years ago- when will there be accountability?

This letter to the Labour MP, Lynn Pillay, from the residents of EarthsongEcoNeighbourhood, an eco-village in the eco-city, articulates so clearly their heartfelt and utterly reasoned objection to the aerial spraying. Although written 3 years ago now, have they received a satisfactory answer? Not when the Minister of Biosecurity is still of the illusory mindset that people's ill health associated with the aerial spraying is caused by their "perceptions",ie, imaginary. The people of West Auckland, East Auckland and Hamilton deserve an apology and compensation for all the stress and suffering they have been subject to because of the aerial spraying campaigns. Yes, they deserve that, but maybe in 10 - 20 years time they might get it, when a future ecologically enlightened government sees this whole issue from a different paradigm.

Ecological Impacts of the Foray48B

Everything is connected. The Foray48B spray fell like a sticky mist from the sky onto everything, including streams, parks, orchards, gardens. People have observed changes in their immediate flora and fauna,and impacts on local bird life, and these observations will be described in detail in their submissions to the People's Inquiry in November.

Extraordinary Admission by Dr Cullen on the Cost of the PAM Aerial Spraying Campaign

This little snippet is really extraordinary when you think about it. Dr Cullen, the NZ Minister of Finance, recently stated:
".... that the cost so far of the Government's war against the painted apple moth in West Auckland is almost as much as if the moth had been left to its own devices."

More comment on this later. Just let it sink in for a bit for now!

Strong response to the People's Inquiry

At the public meeting,many indicated to the organisers that they intend to make a submission to the People's Inquiry.There was such a feeling of unanimity at the public meeting and many people stayed on to talk afterwards, as if buoyed by a feeling that at last their concerns will be listened to.