EXPORTS of conifer timber with bark to Ireland from parts of Scotland have been paused indefinitely. 

The drastic measure comes after three Ips cembrae beetles (commonly known as the large larch bark beetle) were found in a trap in a Cork port.  

At the time, roundwood logs from Scotland's Pest Free Area were moving through Passage West. Forestry officials believe the beetles could have hitchhiked on this timber although this has not yet been confirmed.  

Until further investigations have been carried out, a precautionary pause is now in place, however the ban does not apply to timber already on its way to Ireland.

James Nott, head of tree health at Scottish Forestry, said:  “Scottish Forestry’s tree health team are in regular contact with their counterparts in Ireland over this finding.

"We have both agreed that a precautionary pause in the movement of timber is the right course of action whilst investigations progress. 

“We need to carry out further tracing and surveillance then carefully consider next steps and take a judgement based on the evidence.”   

Whilst further investigations continue, Scottish Forestry will not be issuing any phytosanitary certificates although the Irish authorities have agreed to allow timber already in transit on boats to continue their passage. 

As all Scottish log imports are inspected at Irish ports, any such consignments currently in transit will be subject to an inspection at the port prior to being cleared.  Any boats that have not left Scotland will not be allowed to dock in Ireland.  

Ips cembrae is a large bark beetle which bores into larch trees which in turn can have a damaging effect on the quality and volumes of timber. In very rare cases it can be found on other species. It can also land on other timber without establishing a breeding colony; in effect using the timber to hitch a lift. 

In 2022, a number of Ips cembrae beetles were found in traps in Scotland’s Pest Free Area. No breeding populations were found in follow up surveys. Following the trap findings and as a precaution, in agreement with the forestry sector, no larch timber is moved to the island of Ireland, which has pest free status for Ips cembrae.  

Scottish Forestry will continue to work with tree health officials in Ireland to assess future actions and will keep the industry informed of developments.  

Scotland’s Pest Free Area is up the West Coast of Scotland from the Mull of Kintyre, Mull, and through to Fort William and over to the Isle of Skye. 

Senator Pippa Hackett, Ireland's agriculture minister, said: “Ireland is free of many of the bark beetles that are found in Europe and in Great Britain. It is very important for the future of the forestry sector in Ireland that we do everything we can to keep the island free of these beetles.”

Earlier this year, restrictions were placed on the exporting of spruce logs with bark to the island of Ireland from parts of the west of Scotland. 

Forestry officials took the "preventative action" after it emerged the great spruce bark beetle was moving closer to an already established Pest Free Area (PFA).

While Dendroctonus micans was yet to be confirmed in the PFA, officials said it was "no longer possible to guarantee freedom from this beetle in all areas".

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