NLIS 3
April 30, 2003
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

 

Officials preparing for 2003 forest insect control program

Forest Resources and Agrifoods Minister Rick Woodford said today that preparations are underway to address the threat from damage causing insects in our province�s forests this year.

Minister Woodford said the department has filed its application with the Department of Environment seeking the necessary licences to carry out the 2003 forest insect control program.

The minister said government remains committed to protecting our forest ecosystem from insect infestation. "Given the wood supply situation on the island portion of the province, it is imperative that we continue to take appropriate action to control insect outbreaks and protect our valuable forest resource," said Mr. Woodford. "Failure to respond in a timely fashion to a severe spruce budworm outbreak in the late 1970s and early 1980s resulted in the timber loss equivalent to a 25-year wood supply."

Besides the potential economic impact from insect infestations, Minister Woodford said that insect outbreaks must also be addressed to ensure the protection of our forest�s social and environmental values for future generations.

The 2003 insect control program will focus on reducing the population levels of two damage- causing insects, the hemlock looper and the balsam fir sawfly. Results from the 2002 fall forecast insect survey indicate that during 2003 approximately 280,000 hectares of forest in the province will be affected by these two insects.

The hemlock looper is expected to cause moderate to severe defoliation on approximately 223,000 hectares of forest. This area contains approximately 22 million cubic meters of timber or a 11-year timber supply and has a value of over eight billion dollars to the forest industry. The balsam fir sawfly will affect upwards of 59,000 hectares of forest along the west coast in mainly second growth fir stands, much of which have been silviculturally treated at considerable taxpayers expense.

Minister Woodford said it is anticipated that the 2003 forest insect control program will see upwards of 120,000 hectares of forest being treated. Control activity against the hemlock looper will take place on the Northern Peninsula, along parts of the west coast, and in central areas of the province. Control activity against the balsam fir sawfly will take place in western Newfoundland in the general vicinity of Corner Brook.

The majority of treatment against the hemlock looper will involve the biological agent Btk, while the insecticide Mimic will also be used again this year against the hemlock looper. A naturally occurring biological product extracted from the balsam fir sawfly insect population will be used again in 2003 on an expanded experimental basis to combat the balsam fir sawfly. No environmental registration is required for Btk. Mimic and the balsam fir sawfly biological control product will be used subject to all environmental and human health approvals by the Department of Environment and Health Canada.

Prior to the commencement of any forest insect control activity, detailed information kits will be available to the general public and sent to stakeholder groups, town councils and various other interested organizations. Those groups and individuals located in the vicinity of proposed treatment areas will be offered an opportunity to meet with forestry officials to discuss any questions they may have regarding the 2003 forest insect control program.

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

2003 04 30                                        1:55 p.m. 


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