Government committed to an effective and prudent 2002 insect control program

Forest Resources and Agrifoods Minister Rick Woodford reiterated today government�s commitment to protecting our forest resource from damage causing insects and said his department is in the process of filing application for environmental registration with the Department of Environment seeking the necessary licences to carry out a 2002 forest insect control program.

Minister Woodford said our province�s forest is facing a significant increase in the threat from insects this year. Results from the 2001 fall forecast insect survey indicate there will be moderate to extreme insect infestations in several areas of the province in 2002.

"Given the potential for increased damage to our forest ecosystem, our program will be strengthened this year and my officials have begun preliminary discussions with industry partners, the Canadian Forest Service, Health Canada and the Department of Environment regarding our concern and need for acceptable solutions," said Mr. Woodford. "We will implement an effective and environmentally responsible insect control program to ensure the protection of our forest."

Mr. Woodford said that the additional forest insect control funding recently announced in the provincial budget will assist in the department�s effort to provide adequate protection for our forest resource against insect infestations.

The minister said as was the case last year, activity in 2002 will focus on reducing the population levels of two harmful damaging causing insects. These include the hemlock looper and the balsam fir sawfly. The hemlock looper is expected to cause moderate to severe defoliation on approximately 190,000 hectares of forest. This area contains 19 million cubic meters of timber or a nine-year timber supply and has a value of over $7 billion dollars to the forest industry. The balsam fir sawfly will affect upwards of 65,500 hectares of forest in mainly second growth fir stands, much of which have been silviculturally treated at considerable expense.

It�s anticipated that the 2002 forest insect control program will see up to 100,000 hectares of forest being treated. The bulk of control activity against the hemlock looper will take place on the Northern Peninsula. Some treatment will also take place in western and central Newfoundland, as well as the Bay d�Espoir area. Control activity against the balsam fir sawfly will take place in western Newfoundland in the general vicinity of Corner Brook and area.

The majority of treatment against the hemlock looper will take place using the biological agent Btk. The insecticide Mimic will also be used once again this year against the hemlock looper. The insecticides Neemix and a naturally occurring virus found in the balsam fir sawfly insect population will be used again in 2002 on an expanded experimental basis. No environmental registration is required for Btk., Mimic, Neemix and the balsam fir sawfly virus will be used subject to all environmental and human health approval by Health Canada and the Department of Environment.

Prior to the commencement of any forest insect control activity, detailed information kits will be available to the general public and various organizations and interest groups. As well, organizations in the vicinity of proposed treatment areas will be offered an opportunity to meet with forestry officials to discuss any concerns they may have regarding the 2002 forest insect control program.

Mr. Woodford said: "Government remains committed to protecting our valuable forest resources from the damage caused by forest pests and will continue to implement an effective and responsible insect control program using the least intrusive products currently available."

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

2002 03 27                         2:00 p.m.