May 17, 1996
(Forest Resources and Arifoods)

Province announces increase in Spray Program spending

Beaton Tulk, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, announced today that the province will increase its spending on the insect control program against the Hemlock looper. The fall insect forecast showed that the looper population is increasing and spreading.

This means that the hemlock looper will infest nearly double the amount of hectares that it did last year. The department has identified the priority areas requiring treatment which will encompass about 95,000 hectares.

"It is imperative that we prevent further significant losses to timber," the minister said. "My department has budgeted $4 million to combat insects and disease, which represents an increase over the $1.5 million from 1995. This increase reflects the challenge of dealing with a larger area requiring treatment, as well as, increases in insecticide prices and spray aircraft costs."

The province pays approximately 20 per cent of the total costs of the spray program, the majority (80 per cent) of costs are paid for by Corner Brook Pulp and Paper and Abitibi Price, who have timber land holdings on some of the areas to be treated.

"Despite recent tight budgetary measures, government is committed to the protection of our forests," said the minister, "This investment is necessary to support our forest industries and protect the 6,900 direct and indirect jobs provided by the pulp and paper and sawmilling industries. Moreover, the protection of our forest ecosystem as a multi-purpose resource is essential to the long term sustainability of our province."

Contact:

     Dr. Mohammed Nazir            Anna Buffinga
     Assistant Deputy Minister     Coordinator,
     Forestry and Wildlife         Information & Education
     (709) 729-2704                (709) 729-3750