3-8-2006 |
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TERMITE-INFESTED MULCH NO DANGER TO WEST VIRGINIA Termite-infested mulch from hurricane debris is not being shipped out of Louisiana , contrary to a chain e-mail that has been making the rounds on the Internet, according to Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. "The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) has put strict quarantines on all wood products and all wood waste in that state," said Commissioner Douglass. "Some hurricane debris is being mulched, but it is not leaving that area. Other material is being sent to special landfills in the area. Louisiana is not sending any of it to lawn and garden stores as the bogus message alleges." Commissioner Douglass said that any West Virginians visiting Louisiana should heed that state's quarantine and not bring any salvaged wood back to the Mountain State. "The New Orleans area is known to be infested with Formosan termites, which build enormous colonies and consume tremendous amounts of wood. There is always a danger associated with invasive species which we cannot ignore, but it is important to note that departments of agriculture all over the country are doing everything possible to control those threats," Commissioner Douglass said. The provisions of the Louisiana quarantine prohibit the movement of all wood or cellulose products without a termite treatment plan approved by LDAF. The quarantine includes temporary housing, salvaged beams and woodwork. It also encourages new constructions to be built with termite-resistant materials. LDAF Commissioner Bob Odom contradicted the e-mail in a news release. "I've had my people out looking into these claims to make sure there are no violations of the quarantine. I've also had our invasive pest expert contact the stores mentioned in the e-mail and we've yet to find any validity to the claims," he said. "I think the quarantines are doing the job.. We've worked with the debris contractors, the Corps of Engineers and FEMA to handle the debris and quarantines."
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org. |
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