2005 forest insect control program now complete

Officials with the Department of Natural Resources announced today the 2005 provincial forest insect control program has been completed. The 2005 program consisted of control action to combat the hemlock looper, a destructive forest pest that has been damaging valuable timber stands throughout the province for several years.

Over the past month treatment activity occurred along the Northern Peninsula in the general area between Daniel�s Harbour and Eddies Cove West. The 2005 program saw 11,247 hectares of forest area treated with the biological control product Btk. Of this area 8,185 hectares received two treatments of the control product while 3,062 hectares received one treatment only.

In addition to the hemlock looper control program, the Canadian Forest Service carried out an experimental control program against the balsam fir sawfly using the naturally occurring product NeabNPV. Approximately 5,000 hectares were treated in the general area between Deer Lake and Bonne Bay Big Pond.

Field staff with the Department of Natural Resources are currently data that will used as part of analysis of this year�s program. Over the next few weeks staff will be conducting insect counts in treated areas to assess the success of the 2005 forest insect control program. Once all relevant data is collected, it will then be analysed and evaluated. The results of this evaluation are expected to be available later this fall.

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282, 685-4624

2005 08 11                                                        3:20 p.m.