The forestry sector could lose almost R900-million because of invasive alien wasps, says Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Lindiwe Hendricks.
In written reply to a question by Democratic Alliance MP Janet Semple in the National Assembly, Hendricks said a control programme to limit damage had been introduced.
The Sirex wood wasp Sirex noctilio — or so-called Eurasian wasp — is a conifer-infesting pest of Eurasian origin that has infested pine plantations in many southern hemisphere countries.
Hendricks said the wasp only affected pine plantations and was found from the Western Cape to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
The recent and major outbreaks affected the northern part of the Eastern Cape, around Ugie/Maclear and Weza/Singizi in the Kokstad/Harding area, and in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands from Underberg, Bulwer, and Howick to Greytown.
Sirex could, however, spread to the heavily pine afforested area of Mpumalanga.
”The department of water affairs and forestry’s huge concern is how rapidly this situation could occur and how it might be prevented,” she said.
While it was not possible to make an accurate calculation due to the many variables, it was estimated — based on a 6% infestation rate –that, the forestry sector could lose up to R895-million.
”The potential loss is, therefore, significant and steps must be taken to control the damage that can be caused.”
This involved an education, awareness and identification programme, and the introduction of some biological control agents (a parasitic nematode worm and a parasitic wasp).
A biological research programme on the efficacy of these agents was being carried out. – Sapa