Plans under way for 2001 insect control program

Forest Resources and Agrifoods Minister Rick Woodford said today that plans are under way to conduct an effective program to protect our province�s forests from harmful insects this summer. Mr. Woodford said application has been made to the Department of Environment seeking a licence to undertake a 2001 forest insect control program.

A sound forest protection strategy is integral to the province�s approach toward sustainable and prudent forest management said Mr. Woodford. "Results from the most recent fall forecast survey indicate there is a threat to our forests in 2001 from damage causing forest pests. A significant portion of the forest at risk is located within second growth and pre-commercially thinned timber stands."

Mr. Woodford added that significant investment has been made by government and industry to develop these areas through silviculture initiatives; therefore government must act now to protect this timber from insects which inflict serious damage on our valuable forest resource.

Activity in 2001 will focus on reducing the population levels of three harmful insects. These include the hemlock looper which is causing severe damage primarily on the Northern Peninsula; the balsam fir sawfly in western, south western and central parts of the island and the yellow headed spruce sawfly in central Newfoundland.

Mr. Woodford said approximately 50,000 hectares of forest will be impacted by the balsam fir sawfly, affecting areas in western, south western and central parts of the island. In addition, 80,000 to100,000 hectares of forest located primarily on the Northern Peninsula will be affected by the hemlock looper. The yellow headed spruce sawfly will affect about 500 hectares in localized areas in central Newfoundland off the Bay d�Espoir Highway.

The department is proposing to use four insecticides in the 2001 insect control program. Formal application has been made to the Department of Environment to use the insecticides Neemix and Mimic. Subject to approval, Neemix will combat the balsam fir sawfly and yellow headed spruce sawfly, while Mimic will be used to control hemlock looper populations. The biological insecticide Btk, which is exempt from the environmental process, will also be used to combat the hemlock looper. The 2001 program will also include use of the natural fir sawfly virus on an experimental basis in conjunction with the Canadian Forest Service pending approval from the Department of Environment.

Mr. Woodford said: "Government is committed to protecting our valuable forest resource from the damage caused by harmful insects and will continue to ensure an effective and environmentally responsible insect control program for our province."

Once the application from the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods is registered with the Department of Environment for an environmental assessment review it will be available to the general public for review and comment as part of the environmental assessment process.

Media contact: Sonia Glover, Communications (709) 729-6183.

2001 03 09                                               11:00 a.m.