2007/12 (d)

BACKGROUNDER

National Forest Pest Strategy Development

Forest pests are a natural hazard and an increasing threat to Canada's forests. The frequency and intensity of outbreaks of forest pests in the near future is uncertain due to factors such as climate change, changing patterns of land use, and the introduction of invasive alien species.

The economic consequences of such infestations for forests, forest industries and forest-based communities amount to annual losses of hundreds of millions of dollars. There is also ecological damage to millions of hectares of commercial and non-commercial forests.

Through Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the Government of Canada is investing $12.5 million for the development of a National Forest Pest Strategy. This will be developed in collaboration with the provinces and territories, communities, First Nations and industry.

The strategy's objective is to protect Canada's forests from the increasing threat of forest pests in response to the forest industry's needs and for the benefit of all Canadians.

The investment will support the introduction of a national approach to risk assessment and management. This will help identify high-risk situations, design management approaches and facilitate field operations to protect Canada's forests.

The initiative will be carried out in collaboration with other Government of Canada departments, including Environment Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, along with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, provincial and territorial governments, academia and FPInnovations.

For more information, media may contact:

NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.