August 4, 1998
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Minister announces completion of 1998 Insect Control Program

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, wishes to inform the public that the 1998 Insect Control Programs wrapped up on August 2. This year's program sprayed approximately 4,350 hectares of forests in western and central Newfoundland against the balsam fir and yellowheaded spruce sawflies using Dylox. A hemlock looper control program was also carried out on 7,200 hectares on the Great Northern Peninsula using B.t.

"I am pleased to see that the operational phase of the program has been completed. While we need to analyse the results, I am confident that our efforts to combat the sawfly have met with success," Aylward said. "I would like to thank the general public for their cooperation during the operational phase of the program."

Over the next few weeks, ground crews will dismantle the spray bases. Field crews will continue to collect data on insect numbers and the defoliation level in sample areas. Environmental monitoring crews will continue to collect the necessary samples as have been stipulated in the operator's licence.

Once the looper and sawfly finish feeding, the annual defoliation survey will be conducted to map the extent of the 1998 insect damage. After all data is collected, analysed and evaluated, the effectiveness of the program will be determined based on final treatment figures and the rate of population reduction and foliage protection.

"The results of the experimental trials and environmental monitoring will be announced when the analysis is complete," Aylward said.

Contact: David Wells, Communications (709) 729-6183.

1998 08 04 1:40 p.m.