SPRUCE BUDWORM AERIAL SPRAYING TO BEGIN

Aerial spraying to control spruce budworm infestations in selected areas of Provincial forests, will begin in the next few days if weather conditions are favourable.

Saskatchewan Environment will target approximately 40,000 hectares of forest land in the following areas: Green Lake, Doré Lake, Egg Lake, Lac La Ronge, Weyakwin Lake, East Trout Lake, Deschambault Lake, Mirond Lake and Cumberland Lake. The biological pesticide, Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), a naturally occurring soil bacterium deadly to certain types of caterpillars, will be used. Spraying operations are expected to continue for about two weeks.

"Spruce Budworm is a natural part of our forest ecosystem but high populations can pose a threat to valuable timber resources," Environment Minister Buckley Belanger said. "The objective of our budworm management program is to protect these resources by controlling heavy infestations in selected areas and, in that, we have been successful."

Btk has been safely used around the world for nearly 40 years. It is not harmful to other insects, fish, birds or wildlife and poses no human health hazard. Btk does not build up in the environment, surviving only a few days after application if it is not eaten by the target insect, the budworm. Results of the program are monitored and reported.

The provincial spruce budworm management program has been operating since 1992.

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For More Information, Contact:

John Thompson Environment Prince Albert Phone: (306)953-2343