asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he is aware of the threat to Irish forests from the spruce beetle; and the steps he is proposing to take to ensure that the disease does not spread to Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Spruce Beetle.
6.
The first recorded infestation of this pest outside mainland Europe occurred recently in parts of Wales and the British midlands. My Department are fully aware of the potential danger to Irish forestry were this very aggressive pest to reach this country. The steps being taken to prevent such include the following:
—strict prohibition on the importation of coniferous timber with bark attached and of Christmas trees exceeding three metres in height;
—a requirement that all imported timber be accompanied by a certificate to the effect that the material is free from this and other pests;
—periodic surveys of forest areas, especially in the vicinity of seaports and a contingency plan to cope with any reported infestation; and
—on-going liaison with the Department of Agriculture, as well as regular contacts with forest authorities in Britain and Northern Ireland, in relation to plant health matters to determine the most effective preventive and control measures for all potentially harmful pests, including the beetle referred to.
I must confess to being somewhat alarmed at the tenor of the Minister's reply in that he does not appear to indicate the potential disaster this pest represents to our forestry. Is he aware that nothing less than the entire future of our forestry stocks is at stake in so far as this virulent pest is concerned? Consequently would he not use the medium of this question to impress on everyone concerned the enormous potential damage that could be done in the event of this pest gaining access to our forests? Also, is there any research being done in the Department on this whole question and in particular can the Minister give us any optimistic news in respect of the Dutch elm disease which poses exactly the same type of problem?
I am glad Deputy Haughey has raised this question. It is of the utmost importance that we do everything possible to avoid this very damaging pest gaining access to our forests. As I have said, for the first time the pest has been seen in Wales and the British midlands. As the Leader of the Opposition will appreciate, while we can do our utmost to ensure by way of the measures I have mentioned that the pest does not reach here, I cannot give a guarantee that our efforts will be successful. I would stress the absolute importance of the reporting of any sighting by anyone of this pest to the Department. As the Deputy has said, the disease caused by the pest can have disastrous effects. It is a very virulent type of pest.
A great deal is known about it. We know for example that the disease is produced by the beetle and by the larvae of the beetle. It is somewhat different from Dutch elm disease which results from an insect carried virus. Both diseases are very damaging but it is difficult to establish what causes this pest. All we know is that it attaches itself to Norway spruce and Sitka spruce and mostly to mature trees, trees of 20 years plus. That is why we are prohibiting the importation of Christmas trees above a certain height. It is a very dangerous pest and we are taking every step to ensure that it will not be introduced here. If people see any sign of this disease in trees they should report it immediately as the importation of this disease would have a disastrous effect on our forests.
Would the Minister agree that were this disease to find its way here it would be equivalent, in the forestry sense, to a major outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the agricultural area? Would the Minister agree that it is as potentially serious as that and that there is an urgent need for much more to be done than has been done so far and would he consider something in the nature of the steps taken by the Department of Agriculture in regard to foot and mouth disease being taken in regard to this very real menace? It would be, as the Minister knows, a commercial disaster for us if this disease were to be imported.
The steps being taken are somewhat similar to the monitoring done by the Department of Agriculture at points of entry to the State. I agree that the kind of disaster that would ensue from an infestation of this kind would be somewhat similar to a major outbreak of foot and mouth disease in animals. We have been taking steps in relation to the importation of timber. It must carry a certificate. We are prohibiting the importation of certain types of trees and there is a strict prohibition on the importation of coniferous timber with the bark attached as it is the bark that is attacked and infested by the larvae of this pest. We have been taking precautions which are adequate at the moment to meet the risk. It does not guarantee absolute freedom from infestation but neither do the precautions taken in relation to foot and mouth disease, although they have been very successful.
I will allow one more question.
Has the Minister established any liaison with the UK authorities in trying to cope with the situation? Are the officers of the Department fully aware of the early signs of this disease? What instructions has the Minister given to forestry personnel on the ground to look out for this? Did the Minister have a meeting with them or were they called in to discuss the issue?
There is close liaison with our opposite numbers in the UK and in recent times in relation to the areas where this pest has been found, in Wales and in the midlands.
Question No. 7.
What about the departmental officials? Are the officials fully aware of the early signs of this and how to deal with it?
They are.
Is the pest easily identifiable by those working in the timber industry? Have the Department taken measures to ensure that the signs are made known to them?
The signs have been made known to them. The pest is not that easily seen. The damage is seen on the bark of the tree and it is caused by the pest and by larvae from the pest. The attacked tree is recognised by the presence on its bark of one or more blobs of crystalised resin. It is not that easily recognisable because blobs of resin can be found on trees which are not infested. This is one of the symptoms of a diseased tree but there are other symptoms of which the people in the industry are aware and I hope it will be reported if such symptoms are found.