§ Mr. Kennedyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those areas within Scotland, England and Wales, respectively, for which the Forestry Commission has sought approval from the Department for the use of fenitrothion for the purposes of blanket aerial spraying during 1985; if he will detail the proposed time scale of the respective sprayings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe areas for which the commission sought approval and those for which limited clearance was granted under the pesticides safety precautions scheme are all in Scotland and are as follows:
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Forest District Estate Block Approval sought (hectares) Approval granted (hectares) Skinsdale 45 45 Easter Ross Scatwell Compartment 103 and part 104 156 156 Strathbran Caiseachan, *†145 120 596 571 * One of the conditions of clearance is that a barrier zone of 250 metres is left between infested areas and nearby sites of special scientific interest (SSSI). This accounts for the difference betwen the areas for which approval was sought and the areas for which approval was granted. † Approximate. Spraying commenced on Wednesday 5 June 1985 with the emergence of the caterpillars and, depending on weather conditions, is expected to continue for about 10 to 14 days.
The spraying is being carried out on Lodgepole pine to control Pine beauty moth. Aerial spraying of fenitrothion is the most effective control so far available. Spraying operations will be carried out at ultra low volume under the supervision of the Forestry commission's entomology branch by helicopter using an electronic track guidance system and sophisticated spraying techniques.