Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2021
923. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 769 of 15 September 2021, if his attention has been drawn to an outbreak of ips typographus, spruce bark beetle, in the UK; the preventative measures in place regarding this risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50413/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials are keeping abreast of developments with plant health and forest health risks generally. The eight toothed spruce bark beetle Ips typographus was first detected in the UK (in Kent) at the end of 2018. Earlier this year, two breeding populations were identified in two woodlands in Kent following routine plant health surveillance activities. Subsequently in July, three further outbreaks were confirmed, also in Kent and East Sussex. Further surveillance and eradication measures are on-going.
My officials have maintained close contact with their counterparts in the UK in relation to any developments which has included a visit to the original outbreak site in Kent.
As the presence of the pest in England increases the level of risk of its introduction into Ireland, the Department has implemented additional risk-based surveys in Ireland to provide added assurance that the pest is not present or introduced. In addition, import controls are in place which restrict the importation of roundwood with bark from Great Britain.
Log imports are permitted if they originate from the officially recognised Pest Free Area (PFA) in the south west of Scotland and are accompanied by an Official Statement to attest to their origin.
