Forest Health

 Taking Action to Protect Our Forests and Markets

In April the first provincial symposium on exotic forest pests was held in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. More than 80 participants from a variety of sectors took part in the discussions about exotic forest pests and the growing concern over their spread.

The first speaker shared that some exotic forest pests pose such a serious threat that they may eventually wipe out native forest tree species, such as the butternut, and profoundly modify rural landscapes. These pests have caused significant timber and market losses, and major expenses have been incurred to gain a better understanding of the pests, to devise methods for controlling them, and to minimize their impact on export markets.

The second presentation described how our indigenous pests can become exotic pests for countries that import our wood and cause huge market losses, as illustrated by the case of the pinewood nematode in the 1990s. During the height of this crisis, exporters faced increased costs amounting to almost $72 million annually.

The presentations then turned to the damage done in Canada by the most recent invaders. These pests include the emerald ash borer, the European wood wasp, the brown spruce longhorned beetle and the Asian longhorned beetle. One of the main ways these insects spread is through the transportation of firewood. An insect with a natural dispersal ability of only a few kilometres each year can cover hundreds of kilometres during the same time period when transported in firewood.

The main international agreements governing plant pests were also discussed. These agreements have been developed because the spread of exotic forest pests is a global concern. In addition to having serious economic and environmental impacts, these unwelcome guests cost the agricultural and forest industries billions of dollars each year due to increased production costs, harvest losses, and export market losses.

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, a number of exotic forest pests are periodically intercepted at our borders. The Agency is constantly on alert and conducts research activities to assist with the detection of these invaders.

In order to protect our forests, Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada are working with the Invasive Alien Species Strategy, which plays an important role in preventing invasions as well as detecting and managing established exotic pests through containment, control, and eradication.

To prevent plant pests from entering Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency outlined the measures it implements to survey invasive aliens species in a variety of imported products, particularly wood packing materials and soil-contaminated products.

Representatives from Quebec's Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife outlined the concrete actions that are being implementing to deal with exotic and indigenous forest pests, including annual forest monitoring, research on the impact that established exotic pests have on forests, participation in various initiatives, consultations with partners, and development of management options.

Everyone can lend support to the key players by understanding and complying with the directives aimed at preventing the introduction and spread of exotic pests, and by being aware of the signs and indicators of the presence of invasive alien forest pests.

Jacques Larouche is a member of the organizing committee for the symposium. For more information go to www.partenariat.qc.ca/colloques/exotiques.