NLIS 4
April 28, 2000
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

The Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods has made application to the Department of Environment and Labour for approval of an insect control program this summer to combat insects damaging timber stands throughout the province. The announcement was made today by Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods. The minister said: "Surveys have confirmed that insect infestation continues to be a problem in our forests and control measures are necessary to avoid future large scale infestations like we experienced with the spruce budworm in the late 1970s and early 1980s."

The department proposes to use four control measures including Neem, a natural sawfly virus, mimic and B.t.k. Aylward said: "Neem and the natural sawfly virus are non-chemical options that were used experimentally as part of the 1999 forest insect control program. The natural sawfly virus is a naturally occurring virus found within the sawfly population. Neem is a botanical product; a natural extract from the Asian Neem tree. Based on the results of last year's research it was determined that both options were successful in reducing populations of the balsam fir sawfly and yellowheaded spruce sawfly. For this reason we are now seeking a licence to use the sawfly virus at an expanded experimental level and Neem registration at a full scale operational level for 2000."

Mimic will be used to help control hemlock looper outbreaks on the Northern Peninsula. Mimic, which was tested on an experimental basis in this province in 1996 has been approved by Health Canada for use against the hemlock looper. It is a non-contact insecticide which has minimal effect on non-target species. Its effectiveness stems from the fact that it is an insect growth regulator; the result of the hemlock looper ingesting the insecticide. Mimic will be used in conjunction with the biological insecticide B.t.k which has been used operationally in this province since 1988.

Minister Aylward also indicated that the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods will not be making application to use the chemical insecticide, Dylox, as part of a 2000 forest insect control program. "As I stated during the 1999 forest insect control program, it has always been the preferred option to use an alternative to Dylox. Unfortunately, Dylox was the only effective option available to protect valuable timber stands from harmful insects last year," said Aylward. "In an effort to develop an alternative to Dylox officials with the Newfoundland Forest Service in conjunction with the Canadian Forest Service have been actively experimenting with a number of options. As a result of this research, it has been determined that the natural sawfly virus and Neem have been successful enough at reducing insect populations to warrant their use at expanded levels as part of this year's forest insect control program. Accordingly, the use of Dylox will be put on hold for 2000."

It is expected that Neem will be used to treat approximately 5,000 hectares of forest area while the natural sawfly virus will be applied to 3,000 hectares. Both will be used against the balsam fir sawfly in Western Newfoundland and in an area adjacent to the Bay d'Espoir Highway. Neem will also be used to combat the yellowheaded spruce sawfly in Central Newfoundland. "While these spray levels do not meet our full requirement, it is felt to be a compromise in developing further efficacy data for these two options," said Aylward. Mimic will be used against the hemlock looper on about 6,000 hectares of forest on the Northern Peninsula where the total program will involve approximately 20,000 hectares.

Results from the fall insect survey used to predict insect infestation levels in the province's forest for 2000 indicate timber stands throughout the province will be infested once again by damaging insects. The balsam fir sawfly is expected to cause moderate to severe defoliation to 26,400 of forest in Western Newfoundland. This is approximately the same level of infestation experienced during 1999. Pockets of infestation are expected to move north this year to areas near Pinchgut Lake and Stag Lake. The infestation in the Bay d'Espoir area is expected to continue with 15,100 hectares of forest receiving moderate to severe defoliation. A minor infestation is also expected in the St. Lawrence region. It will be in the same general area as 1999 and affect 2,800 ha of forest with 700 ha of that occurring in productive forest.

There is no practical forecast survey for the yellowheaded spruce sawfly. However, based on the tree defoliation observed, the 2000 infestation is expected to continue in the same general area as last year with the level of infestation expected to be lower than that of 1999. The extent and severity will not be known exactly until later in the summer when eggs are laid.

Minister Aylward stressed that an effective forest protection strategy is an integral component of this province's approach toward forest management . He said: "Government is committed to protecting our valuable forest resource, in an effective and environmentally responsible manner, from the damage caused by harmful insects."

Media contact: Craig Renouf, Phone (709) 637-2923, Fax: (709) 637-2403.

2000 04 28                                                     4:05 p.m.