Forestry Industry Seminar - Plantation Pest Control School of Forestry, Creswick - Victoria 3rd & 4th March 2004

About the seminar:

Approximately 85 people attended this 3rd annual seminar at the School of Forestry, Creswick - Victoria. Participants from nearly all states/territories of Australia attended, and all facets of the industry were represented.

The seminar was convened by Barry Tomkins, University of Melbourne Department of Forestry, and was run in conjunction with Macspred Pty Ltd.

Dr John Paul and Trevor Humphery attended as representatives of the APVMA.

What was covered:

The seminar covered a wide range of issues, including:
o Residual herbicide issues and off target movement
o Application technology (both aerial & ground)
o Biosecurity and pest management
o Pests of forests
o Breeding technology developments
o Herbicide regimes
o Forest stewardship schemes
o Economics of control
o Product updates

Trevor Humphery (APVMA) delivered a presentation covering topics such as:
o APVMA roles & responsibilities
o Registration & Permit requirements and processes
o Current regulatory issues impacting on the forestry industry

There was considerable interest generated from the APVMA presentation, especially the topic of benefits for industry consolidation in regard to approaching regulatory approval of pesticides to reduce efforts and associated costs for similar needs. Commercial forests (plantations grown specifically for timber production) collectively are listed as a Major crop in the APVMA Guidelines For Determining Minor Uses.

The APVMA presentation provided a trigger for the industry to re-establish a Pesticides Working Group. A separate meeting was convened with discussion on how to progress this priority issue. Initial steps towards forming the group were achieved.

This group will be dedicated to progressing future requirements/needs of the industry and determining how these needs may be progressed towards label registration.

Positive outcomes:

The seminar was considered a great benefit for both the APVMA and forestry industry:
o Encouraging signs that industry is keen to work closely with APVMA.
o Widespread support for the establishment of a single industry contact within APVMA.
o Establishment of good communication links between the APVMA and forestry industry.
o Formation of a consolidated industry Pesticides Working Group.
o Steps towards progressing existing and future chemical priorities of the industry through regulatory mechanisms, with a view to having uses considered via the registration process for on-label use.

Regulatory enquiries relating to forestry use may be directed to Trevor Humphery at the APVMA, Telephone 02 6271 6347 or trevor.humphery@apvma.gov.au

Click here for : Current Forestry Permits