1 Mar 2018

MPI not doing enough to fight myrtle rust - Forest & Bird

From Morning Report, 6:40 am on 1 March 2018

The crippling leaf disease myrtle rust has been found in Department of Conservation land for the first time. It has infected Ramarama plants and also towering Rata trees in the northern part of Taranaki. The Myrtle Rust Incident Controller Catherine Duthie says she always feared that this would happen. The Ministry says it is checking the area for any further infection along with the Department of Conservation. But it has also just lifted rules that aimed to stop the spread of Myrtle Rust from Taranaki. But conservation group Forest & Bird says MPI isn't doing enough to try contain the outbreak of the disease. Kevin Hackwell from Forest & Bird talks to Guyon Espiner.