West coast conifer log exports stop due to spruce bark beetle (Ips cembrae) risk
Conifer log exports from Scotland’s west coast can no longer be exported to the Republic of Ireland (ROI) or Northern Ireland (NI) due to concerns over the Ips cembrae bark beetle found in the area.
Part of the west of Scotland is designated a Pest Free Area (PFA) for several bark beetle tree pests, including Ips cembrae, which are present elsewhere in GB. This has allowed conifer timber to be exported from the PFA to the island of Ireland, with a phytosanitary certificate confirming the absence of all these tree pests.
Following a finding of Ips cembrae beetles in a trap at a port in Ireland last year, all movement of conifer logs with bark from the PFA to ROI and NI was paused as a precautionary measure.
After a full analysis of surveillance data and trapping results, and advice from the GB Forest Research agency, Scottish Forestry say they cannot guarantee the PFA is free from Ips cembrae bark beetles. This means that phytosanitary certificates confirming the absence of Ips cembrae cannot be issued and exports of conifer logs to the island of Ireland are stopped.
The decision to stop exports was taken carefully, acting on the full range of scientific evidence, including trap findings of Ips cembrae at ports within the PFA. Data was shared and discussed with the ROI and NI plant health authorities.
James Nott, Head of Tree Health at Scottish Forestry, said: “We recognise the impact this will have on the timber industry. We have to respect the regulations in other countries and help them maintain their freedom from pests and diseases, in the same way we would expect from them.
“The decision to classify an area as free from a particular pest must be based on robust evidence. Climate change is seeing the threats from pests and diseases increasing. We have been speaking with the industry over the last few years to help give them an opportunity to prepare for this change.
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“Sadly, our surveillance means we can no longer say with confidence that Ips cembrae are not in the West of Scotland Pest Free Area and as such we can no longer meet the requirements of importing nations requiring pest freedom.
“We are taking this action to stop exports from the Pest Free Area now to ensure we do not run the risk of introducing a quarantine pest to places like Ireland, where it is not currently known to be present.”
The Pest Free Area status was introduced back in 2005 and at the time was only expected to stay in operation for a limited time, as beetles slowly moved towards the west coast of Scotland. Work to reduce the spread of tree pests enabled the status to remain in place for much longer than anticipated.
The forestry industry has been kept aware of the impending change and has helped implement actions to mitigate the risk and maintain trade over the last few years.
These measures included stopping the exportation of larch wood in 2022 and the introduction of a buffer area in 2024 following findings of the bark beetle Dendroctonus micans. As a result, trade has been reducing as industry has been adapting to the changing circumstances and taking up alternative markets.
The timber from this area will continue to be marketed in the same way as all the other timber in Scotland but will lose its access to ROI and NI. There is no increased risk across GB.
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