Miriam Robertson: Environmental Protection Authority organism manager on Waikato Regional Council releasing a fruit fly to control poisonous plant - Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Waikato Regional Council wants permission to release a new fruit fly as a biological control agent.

The fruit fly would be used to stop the spread of moth plant, a climbing vine considered a significant threat to biodiversity and conservation efforts. 

The Environmental Protection Authority's Miriam Robertson says a public consultation about this decision will enable experts to determine the risks and rewards of releasing a new organism for pest-control purposes.

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