PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - The federal government has a battle plan to stop the eastward spread of the mountain pine beetle across Canada.
The plan will cost $200 million in federal government funds, which is half of the money set aside by the Conservative government last year to help forest-based industries and communities in Canada.
Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn told a resources forum in Prince George the money will be used to slow the spread of the beetle and to help find value from the infected trees.
The program will also help affected communities in finding new forest products, markets, industries and services to stabilize their economies.
Lunn calls the beetle outbreak a major threat to the economies and communities of B.C.
A federal government report released last year said the beetle is infesting other species of trees and could spread right across the country.
