The Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA) will host an information session about "harmful pests" in association with the Forest Health Section, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) tomorrow (Friday March 28).

The morning session will take place in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel, Co. Laois, and the afternoon session is out on site in nearby Tonduff forest.

The day will begin with an indoor session featuring presentations by DAFM forest health inspectors on forest health in Ireland, followed by questions and answers.

Presentations will provide a general overview of forest health in Ireland, the work of the Forest Health Section including surveillance and official controls, and an update on the main bark beetles of concern to Ireland.

The outdoor session in the afternoon will provide participants with the opportunity to view examples of dead harmful pests, and to demonstrate and discuss some practical aspects of forest health.

The ITGA previously expressed concern in light of the finding of the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle on Sitka spruce in England.

The bark beetle is considered a serious pest on spruce in Europe. Currently none of the bark beetles in the Ips family can be found in Irish forests, which is reflected in Ireland’s protected zone status for these pests.

The ITGA's Donal Whelan said: "The ITGA is committed to working with DAFM on thiscritical issue and representing and keeping forest owners and growers informed of futuredevelopments on this and other potential risks to forest crops.

Earlier his week, the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) called for a change in the payment system for forestry contractors.

Following Storm Éowyn, the FCI engaged with other European forestry contractor groups through its membership of the European Confederation of Agricultural, Rural and Forestry Contractors (CEETTAR).

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has estimated that 23,600ha of forest have been severely damaged by the storm.