Forestry Commission
Details
Aim of Authorisations:
In order to track movement of spruce trees (Picea species) and material from the Demarcated Area (DMA) for Ips typographus, woodland owners agents and anyone involved in harvesting, transporting or processing spruce originating in the DMA must apply to the Forestry Commission for authorisation for the following activity types:
Authorisation Types:
- Intention to fell authorisation
- Movement/Dispatch authorisation
- Processor authorisation (for anyone handling controlled material originating in the Ips typographus DMA)
Intention to Fell Authorisation:
Any felling, thinning, stem injection, ring barking or single tree removal operations of all species of spruce (Picea) in the Demarcated Area (DMA) must be notified to Forestry Commission Plant Health Forestry (PHF) a minimum of 14 days in advance.
This includes trees and woodlands covered by existing Woodland Management Plans (WMP), Felling Licences (FL) and arboricultural work plans that predate the creation of the Demarcated Area (DMA), but have not yet been carried out.
A pre-harvesting standing timber inspection will need to be carried out by the Forestry Commisssion.
If evidence or indication of the presence of infestation by Ips typographus is found onsite, this will be reported back to the Forestry Commission and appropriate escalation will be implemented (see below).
How to apply:
The woodland owner/manager/contractor contacts PHF at least 14 days in advance of any harvesting and provides the information listed below:
- site map with access details, including gates/keys/codeswhere relevant
- full contact details of applicant
- the approximate age of timber to be harvested (e.g. young, pole, mid-rotation, mature veteran)
- a grid reference of the compartment to be harvested
- a site contact and risk assessment/site constraints (if available)
- the estimated volume/m3 of timber to be harvested, or the number of trees
- the type of operation (e.g., thinning/clear fell/component removal)
Email all the information to: ipstypographus.authorisation@forestrycommission.gov.uk
Applicants will receive a response from PHF within 4 working days. A Forestry Commission Inspector will then arrange a visit to the site to carry out the inspection.
If evidence of Ips typographus is found
If the inspector finds evidence or indications of Ips typographus activity, the site is escalated to a more rigorous inspection, and harvesting will not be able to take place at this point.
If no evidence of Ips typographus is found
If the inspector finds no evidence or indications of Ips typographus, then an authorisation letter will be issued, and harvesting can take place. The authorisation is valid for 3 months after which time a subsequent authorisation will be required.
On thinning sites, the inspector will offer advice and guidance on trees that are deemed high risk for infestation, and signpost further biosecurity guidance. The inspector may mark or tag high risk trees and require these to be removed during thinning operations.
PHF Inspectors will also offer guidance on the placement of woodpiles/timber stacks.
The authorisation letter will include a unique identifying reference number associated with the intention to fell and movement/dispatch application, which should be referenced in correspondence and dispatch notes and records.
Christmas Trees:
If the applicant is harvesting spruce Christmas trees (Picea species) in the Demarcated area (DMA), then authorisation will be granted on a combined felling and movement authorisation. A physical inspection may not be necessary, as most Christmas trees do not have the potential to host the pest.
Dispatch/Movement Authorisation:
Dispatch inspections are to be carried out by PHF inspectors at a target ratio of 1 inspection per 300 m3 - this is subject to site-specific conditions.
All relevant material originating from within the DMA must go to an authorised processor. Material from sites within the DMA not known to be infested following an authorisation to fell inspection, can be left on site if chipped, burnt, or covered completely and securely with a thick, high-quality tarp for 12 months. This material is considered to carry a low risk of harbouring Ips typographus.
Stumps may be left, but must be cut as low as practical.
Low risk spruce material can be moved in the round to an authorised processor within the DMA. If felled between March and August, it must be processed before the end of February the following year. If felled after August 31, it must be inspected and processed prior to the end of February, 2 calendar years later (e.g., if felled in Septemb