Swiss canton creates buffer zone in fight against Japanese beetles

To combat the Japanese beetle, the canton of Aargau has imposed a buffer zone in six municipalities. No plant material may be removed from this area. The canton of Solothurn already reacted to the pest in the neighbouring area a year ago. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The Aargau municipalities of Aarburg, Oftringen, Rothrist, Strengelbach, Vordemwald and Murgenthal are affected by the buffer zone. This is according to the decree published in the cantonal official gazette on Monday. Specifically, it is forbidden to remove plant material from green spaces in this area until the end of September. The ban also includes cut fresh plant material from agriculture, such as grass, according to the order. However, finely chopped material may be removed from the buffer zone and stored outside if both transport and storage are insect-proof, i.e. as hermetically sealed as possible. The removal of sufficiently dry hay, silage bales and maize silage from the buffer ...