Czech Republic, Austria sign agreement over bark beetle regime

The Czech Republic and Austria signed an agreement on Tuesday over how their different types of forestry management could counter the spread of the timber-damaging bark beetle. The two sides have literally been at loggerheads with the Austrians criticising the Czechs for their policy of leaving some parts of forest along the border to rot and rejuvenate naturally. They say this has promoted the beetle’s spread. Under the agreement signed by Czech environment minister Ladislav Miko and his Austrian counterpart, Nikolaus Berlakovich, the two sides agreed to monitor the state of the forest and spread of the beetle on both sides of the border. A 200-metre wide protection area will also be introduced at certain points along the border where rotten trees will be removed and natural enemies of the beetle encouraged. In addition, the Austrians pledged not to leave bald patches of forest which result in damage to Czech trees during storms.