Canada authorizes $200M for beetle fight

PRINCE GEORGE, British Columbia, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- The Canadian government will contribute $200 million to efforts to fight the mountain pine beetle and its effects on economies and communities.

The Federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program will provide the funds to minimize the consequences of the beetle infestation and assist in efforts to slow the infestation's eastward spread, the Natural Resources Ministry said in a news release. Canadian government and British Columbia officials will work together "to deliver a comprehensive, integrated strategy to combat the beetle infestation," the ministry said.

The beetles kill the trees by boring through the bark into the phloem layer, where they feed and lay eggs.

"This outbreak is a major threat to the economy and the communities of British Columbia," said Minister of Natural Resources Gary Lunn. "With this program, we'll be working with the Province of British Columbia to ensure the economic and environmental well-being of our communities and forest resources."

The program will focus on slowing the spread of the beetle, recovering economic value from trees killed by the beetle and protecting communities and resources affected by the infestation.