Ireland's €2bn forestry industry is in fear of the bark beetle

The small insect that has killed hundreds of millions of trees across Europe over the past decade can be blown by the wind

Any outbreak of bark beetle disease in Ireland would pose a serious risk to the €2bn forestry and timber industry, which supports some 9,400 direct and indirect jobs.

“An east wind blows no good” is an old saying in rural Ireland, but it has now become more relevant than ever for public services and forestry owners.

That’s because new fears have arisen that a small insect that has killed hundreds of millions of trees across Europe over the past decade can be blown by the wind.