Strengthening the prevention of pine caterpillars

(Telegram No. 28/CD-UBND of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee)

Currently, the fourth generation of pine caterpillars in 2014 has mainly emerged in the first and second instar stages. With the current weather conditions, the fourth generation of pine caterpillars in 2014 is likely to continue to cause severe damage to large areas of pine forests in the province. Especially in the districts of Nam Dan, Nghi Loc, Dien Chau, Yen Thanh, Quynh Luu, Hung Nguyen... the caterpillars are likely to cause very severe damage to the canopy if not prevented in time.

To proactively prevent and effectively control the fourth generation of pine caterpillars in 2014 to protect the safety of pine forests, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requests directors of departments, heads of relevant units, Chairmen of People's Committees of districts, cities and towns with pine forests and relevant departments and branches to effectively implement the following contents:

1. Chairman of People's Committee of district, city, town with pine forest:

- Assign leaders of the District People's Committee to organize inspection, urge and direct the work of preventing and controlling pine caterpillars of generation IV/2014 in localities.

- Establish working groups to go to localities with pine forests at risk of being severely damaged by pine caterpillars in the fourth generation of 2014 to inspect and guide forest owners to strictly implement prevention and control measures; at the same time, monitor and evaluate the results of forest owners' and local leaders' organization and direction of prevention and control, and report to the district Party Committee and People's Committee as a basis for year-end emulation ranking.

- Direct the People's Committees of communes where pine forests are at high risk of being severely damaged by pests to urge forest owners in the area to investigate, delimit the infected area and mobilize means, machinery and materials to organize timely prevention when pests arise, not allowing pests to spread.

- Proactively balance local budgets to support households and forest owners at risk of generation IV pine caterpillars to buy BitadinWP, Vi-BT, VBT and pumps, prevent according to recommendations of plant protection agencies and organize effective prevention from October 5 to 25, 2014. At the same time, strengthen propaganda on local mass media about the risks of pests and prevention measures so that farmers know and organize effective prevention (at least 3 times/day).

2. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development:

Continue to strengthen and maintain the steering groups for the prevention of the fourth generation of pine caterpillars established by the Department to coordinate with localities to organize guidance and direction for farmers to prevent the fourth generation of pine caterpillars; in which, it is necessary to pay attention to increasing the force for localities at risk of being affected by major pests.

- Directing the Plant Protection Department:

+ Assign staff at the Sub-Department Office and affiliated stations to closely follow the base to investigate, detect, estimate, and accurately forecast areas that need prevention and timely notify localities and forest owners to organize effective prevention and control, avoiding subjective situations of not spraying or spraying pesticides in areas that do not need to be sprayed, affecting the environment and causing costs for people.

+ Closely coordinate with mass media agencies to strengthen information work on the emergence, development and damage of pine caterpillars and to propagate, recommend and guide forest owners on timely and effective prevention measures.

- Coordinate with the Department of Finance to advise the Provincial People's Committee to support funding for purchasing generation IV pine caterpillar insecticide for localities and relevant units to promptly control when necessary; especially for districts with pine forests in cultural and spiritual tourism areas...

3. Department of Finance: Coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to promptly advise the Provincial People's Committee to support funding for the prevention of the fourth generation of pine caterpillars for localities and relevant units when necessary, in order to control the emergence and development of pine caterpillars;

4. Provincial Radio and Television Station, Nghe An Newspaper: Coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Plant Protection Sub-Department) to increase the time to advise and propagate farmers to properly implement pest control measures set forth by specialized agencies; Report on localities, units and individuals that do well and those that do not.

5. Nghe An Plant Protection Service Joint Stock Company: Prepare sufficient quantity of necessary drugs to ensure quality, supply forest owners with timely and effective prevention.

Above are some urgent tasks that need to be implemented to prevent the fourth generation of pine caterpillars in 2014 to protect pine forests in Nghe An province. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requests the Chairmen of the People's Committees of districts, cities and towns; Directors of departments and heads of relevant sectors and units to seriously implement this Official Dispatch.

Provincial People's Committee