Question 17220 — woods and forests

Summary

Mr. Raphaël Schellenberger questions the Minister of Agriculture and Food about the health problems encountered in spruce stands. Indeed, the climatic conditions of summer 2018 were conducive to the proliferation of bark beetles, the main beetle pests of coniferous forests. To date, the first estimates from forest managers indicate more than 600,000 m3 of loss of bark beetle wood in the Grand Est, i.e. 30% of the average annual softwood harvest. This crisis is only just beginning and is likely to continue for several years. The emergency solution provided by the forest health department, consisting of rapid harvesting of affected wood, causes a significant financial loss for forest owners. In fact, bark wood is not valued at the same level as healthy spruce. Added to this is the loss of value future of young stands harvested before maturity, as well as the necessary need for reforestation. This crisis also affects primary processing companies, which work to quickly saw bark-bearing wood, and must bear the costs of cash advances and wood storage on their own. Finally, a problem specific to the Grand Est is added. In fact, a majority of bark beetle woods are found in the northwest of the region, when the primary processing companies are located opposite them, in the east. This configuration necessarily entails additional transport costs. The timber industry is trying to organize itself effectively to deal with the bark beetle crisis. However, financial support from public authorities would provide beneficial assistance in carrying out their strategy. He therefore questions him about the measures he intends taken to support the hard-hit timber sector.

Machine translation from French. The official text remains authoritative.

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