Strict Controls Needed at Ports for Second-Hand and Used Forestry Machinery

IFA Farm Forestry Chair Padraig Stapleton has called on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to ensure all second-hand or used forestry machinery imported into Ireland goes through strict biosecurity measures at the ports.

“The work to salvage the near 24,000ha of windblown timber is underway. However, the importation of second-hand or used forestry machinery into the country to help with the operation could pose a biosecurity risk if machinery coming in isn’t adequately sterilised and fumigated.”

“The threat of soil, organic matter and/or plant debris which may be attached to the machines could potentially contain harmful forest pests and pathogens such as the Great Bark Beetles,” he said.

“DAFM must ensure the strictest control measures are imposed at sea ports. Any second-hand or used forestry machinery coming into the country in breach of their guidelines must be refused entry immediately. Our forest sector is already under severe pressure. Any additional harmful forest pest or pathogen would finish the sector once and for all,” he concluded.