Scottish Forestry has today (Wednesday, February 7) announced new restrictions on moving spruce logs with bark to the “island of Ireland” from some of the west of Scotland’s Pest Free Area (PFA).
The Scottish government agency said it has been working closely with government departments in both the ROI and in NI “to bring in measures which will reduce the risks posed by the great spruce bark beetle, Dendroctonus micans (D. micans) “.
The agency confirmed today that a 35km buffer zone will be put in place around locations where the D. micans bark beetle has been found.
Under the new measures:
- Spruce timber moving under phytosanitary certificate will only be allowed to travel through the 35 km buffer zone between 1st October and 31st March, which is outside of the flying season for the D. micans bark beetle;
- During this period between October 1 and March 31, this timber should not be stored in the buffer zone but can be loaded at ports;
- Phytosanitary certificates confirming that conifer timber is free from D. micans will not be issued within 35km of a beetle finding.
Many regulated plant pests and diseases that have been found elsewhere have not been detected in Ireland.
Ireland’s Protected Zone status includes six bark beetle species of which D. micans is one.
Northern Ireland also shares the protected zone status with Ireland for the six bark beetle species.
Minister Hackett believes the new measures to be introduced by Scottish Forestry are “significant”.
“My department has had detailed discussions on these new measures with its Scottish counterparts, with the overall aim of ensuring that the integrity of the Pest Free Area is maintained and that Irish forests are protected.
Many regulated plant pests and diseases that have been found elsewhere have not been detected in Ireland.
Ireland’s Protected Zone status includes six bark beetle species, of which D. micans is one.
Northern Ireland also shares the protected zone status with Ireland for the six bark beetle species.
Minister Hackett believes the new measures to be introduced by Scottish Forestry are “significant”.
“My department has had detailed discussions on these new measures with its Scottish counterparts, with the overall aim of ensuring that the integrity of the Pest Free Area is maintained and that Irish forests are protected,” she said.
Pests and diseases
According to Minister Hackett, DAFM operates a risk-based surveillance for early detection of pests and diseases.
She added: “My officials maintain very close contact with counterparts in Great Britain and in Northern Ireland on this issue.
“It is vitally important that all forest stakeholders remain vigilant at all times and report forest health concerns as a matter of urgency, and I will very shortly establish a Forest Health stakeholder grouping to facilitate regular exchanges on this issue.”
However the final decision to make this change will have to be agreed between “Scottish Forestry and the relevant authorities on the island of Ireland”.
Meanwhile James Nott, head of tree health at Scottish Forestry also said: “Both the west of Scotland and island of Ireland have pest free status for D. micans and a number of other bark beetles.
“It is important that we are both able to maintain this status which has been in place for many years as it allows trade to continue”.