Directive No. 58/1999/CT-BNN/KL on taking proactive measures to prevent and control forest pests and diseases

DIRECTIVE

On actively preventing and controlling forest pests and diseases

In 1998, many localities throughout the country experienced large-scale outbreaks of forest pests and diseases such as pine sawfly in Ha Tinh; pine shoot borer in the Tuyen Quang and Vinh Phuc paper raw material areas; white poplar damage by termites in the Long Xuyen Quadrangle; and a situation where wireworms caused widespread death of three-needle pines in planted forests in Lam Dong, Kon Tum, and Thua Thien-Hue. Annually, these outbreaks of forest pests and diseases cause significant losses, not only reducing the quality of forests, killing thousands of hectares of forests, estimated at billions of dong, but also degrading the ecological environment.

Starting from 1999, localities across the country will implement the project to plant five million hectares of new forests; as the area and scale of planted forests increase, the likelihood of pest and disease infection increases, and the frequency of outbreaks may be higher than expected, with consequences that may be difficult to fully anticipate.

To proactively prevent and control forest pests and diseases, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requests the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Forest Inspection Agencies of Provinces and Cities directly under the Central Government, to immediately implement the following measures:

1. Direct, inspect, and guide from the preparatory stage for planting forests for organizations, households, and individuals in selecting seeds, sowing techniques, planting methods, and tree species suitable for the local ecology to create healthy, sustainable, and less pest-prone forests.

2. Assign competent staff to guide forest owners in conducting investigations, monitoring, and forecasting pests and diseases, detecting early outbreak sources, organizing timely eradication, and avoiding the spread into larger outbreaks.

3. Organize training for technical staff at Forestry Stations and Forest Inspection Units, disseminating to forest-growing households about investigation, monitoring, and early detection methods for pests and diseases; simultaneously guiding the identification of dangerous pests and diseases in nurseries and planted forests, as well as preventive measures.

4. Direct and guide forest owners to apply comprehensive technological advancements in pest and disease control, prioritizing forest-based and biological methods, including the use of biological products such as Boverin, BT, Virus, etc., while minimizing the use of chemical pesticides on planted forests. In cases where the use of chemical pesticides is absolutely necessary, ensure safety for people and livestock, and take measures to minimize environmental pollution, especially in headwater forest areas and residential zones.

Strictly prohibit the use of insecticides and fungicides not listed in the national approved directory.

5. Guide forest owners to develop plans and projects for pest and disease control; prepare sufficient equipment, tools for investigation, monitoring, forecasting, labor protection, and other equipment needed for pest and disease control, so that when outbreaks occur, they are not caught off guard.

6. When pests and diseases occur on a large scale or have a high risk of spreading into outbreaks, the Forest Inspection Agency shall coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop specific plans for prompt guidance and handling by the Provincial People's Committee, and if deemed necessary, declare the outbreak status and report immediately to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for supervision and direction.

7. Regarding funds for pest and disease control.

a. Funds for the prevention and control of pests and diseases in nurseries and young forests before canopy closure are included in the cost estimate and used in the cost of planting and caring for forests.

b. For mature forests already managed by organizations, households, and individuals, forest owners should proactively allocate funds for pest and disease control.

c. When pests and diseases occur on a large scale with a high risk of spreading or becoming outbreaks, the Forest Inspection Agency shall coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to request the Provincial People's Committee to proactively resolve funding support for forest owners to control pests and diseases and contain outbreaks from local government funds according to current state regulations.

d. The State provides funds from the management and protection of forest services budget for training on pest and disease control; the Forest Inspection Agency shall prepare annual plans and budgets for this work and submit them to the Provincial People's Committee for approval according to the prescribed procedures and deadlines.

đ. To proactively secure funds for pest and disease control in planted forests, starting from 1999, all forest planting projects must include plans and budgets for pest and disease control during design, cost estimation, and approval.

e. For special-use forests and protective forests, forest owners need to pay attention to establishing budgets for pest and disease control along with their annual financial plans. Directors of Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chiefs of Forest Inspection Agencies of provinces and cities directly under the Central Government, Directors of Forest Protection Technical Centers, and Heads of related units shall organize the implementation of this Directive and report monthly to the Ministry. The Chief of the Forest Inspection Bureau shall oversee, direct, inspect, and compile reports to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development./.