China suffers huge loss from forest diseases
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-12-11 10:37

China has an average of 8.7 million hectares of forests ravaged by plant diseases and insect pests every year, incurring losses of 88 billion yuan (US$10.6 billion), according to a senior forestry official.

Global warming, frequent foul weather and closer international economic and trade ties have conspired toward aggravating plant diseases and insects in China's forests over the past few years, said Zhu Lieke, deputy head of the State Forestry Administration.

Zhu called for "effective measures" to be taken to reinforce control over forest diseases and insect pests.

Currently, there are 2,946 control and quarantine stations and 1,000 state-level exam centers for the purpose across China.

Six forest diseases and insect pests control projects have been carried out, involving around 370 million yuan (US$44.6 million) in special funds earmarked by the Central Government.

The projects covered 1,872 counties in 28 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities and brought the disease and pest situations under control in 9.3 million hectares of forests, Zhu said.

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