The demarcated area for the nematode covers some 50,000 hectares of pine forests, where silvicultural measures are required to contain the pest.
The Forestry Association of Galicia will this week convey to the Xunta the need for information measures for landowners, accompanied by a support plan for silvicultural treatments to help curb the pest.
The expansion of the nematode plague in southern Pontevedra, which has been accompanied by the enlargement of the demarcated area, poses a challenge for the entire forestry sector. It is estimated that the current demarcated area covers around 50,000 hectares of pine plantations, where the promotion of proper silviculture is essential to contain the spread of the problem.
The Forestry Association of Galicia (AFG), which has held information meetings in Tomiño last Saturday and in Coruxo (Vigo) -on the evening of last Friday-, the Forestry Association of Galicia noted the concern of the community woodlands about the spread of the pest. Next week, the Forestry Association of Galicia has a meeting scheduled with the Xunta in Pontevedra -at which all organisations in the timber supply chain will participate-, to convey the demands of the forestry sector, especially those of the community woodlands and private forest owners.
The current demarcated area encompasses some 220 community woodland associations, which manage around 50,000 hectares of woodland, to which must be added 20,000 hectares belonging to private owners. Throughout this territory, it is necessary to establish a specific support programme for silviculture to ensure the proper management of coniferous stands, thereby enhancing their health.
Prevention of pine nematode requires the removal of all dead or dying trees from the woodland, as well as the chipping of pruning and felling debris (using hammer chippers); it is also advisable to promote pruning and thinning. The objective should be to manage the forest actively, eradicating situations of abandonment, as this is the only way to contain the spread of the pest.
Information campaign
The Forestry Association of Galicia (AFG), which maintains a joint stance with the rest of the timber chain on the nematode pest, will also propose to the Administration the immediate launch of an information campaign for forest owners, so that they are provided with truthful and verified information, which will prevent panic among forest owners, as alarmist or technically and scientifically unverified information could result in owners massively rejecting the planting of pines and choosing them as a future forestry option.
Another issue that continues to concern the sector is the temporary suspension of pine sales to Portugal, as the neighbouring country is an important destination for the chipping pine from southern Pontevedra, as well as for part of the saw pine.
The AFG will address all these issues at the meeting it will hold this week with the Department of Rural Affairs and, subsequently, will pass on any possible updates to the community woodlands and forest owners.
