Research the key to profitable forests

FOREST GROWERS LEVY TRUST INC

MEDIA RELEASE

11 March 2013

Research the key to profitable forests

Forest owners and scientists believe forest growing can be made much more profitable. But to make it happen, growers need to invest in well-targeted research.

The Forest Industry Science & Innovation Plan says there is the potential to double the production of quality wood from each hectare of forest, from trees that have increased resistance to pests and diseases.

“To achieve this we need all forest owners on board, helping fund the research, and being part of the information loop that drives progress and innovation,” says forest industry research chair Rob van Rossen.

He strongly supports the proposed commodity levy that is the focus of the Forest Voice referendum now underway. At least half the funds raised by the levy are expected to be used to fund research that will benefit all growers.

On top of this, forest owners – acting as individuals or in coalitions – will invest in other research projects that mesh with their own priorities. He expects several of these projects to continue once a levy is in place.

“Grower funding of forest research has always been voluntary. While this voluntary commitment is positive, it means that each major research area has had its own funding collective,” Mr van Rossen says.

“A downside of this has been a perceived fragmentation of the research effort. Also when forests change hands, there can be a sudden loss of funding if the new owner no longer wants to be involved.

“Under a commodity levy most pan-industry research will come under a single umbrella. There will also be an overall increase in grower funding with a stable core coming from the levy.

“This means the industry will be able to plan and fund its research programme with confidence. Research providers like Scion will be able to recruit and retain scientists with specialist skills secure in the knowledge that funding is assured during the six-year life of the levy.”

Until a levy is in place, a committee of forest owners, farm foresters and science experts has been set-up to perform the research co-ordination role.

Mr van Rossen, who chairs this committee, says total funding for forest growing research is currently about $21 million a year. Of this, about $3 m is sourced from growers and $18 m from government. The high ratio of government to industry funding, which reflects the public good component of much forest research, is unlikely to continue.

The Forest Voice referendum opened on 1 March and closes on 29 March. The organisers, the Forest Growers Levy Trust, say forestry is one of the few primary industries not to have a compulsory levy to fund research and other industry-good activities.

Trust chair Geoff Thompson strongly urges every eligible grower to vote.

Potential voters need to go to the Forest Voice website or phone the organisers to check their eligibility and register as a voter. Votes may be cast on the Forest Voice website or in the traditional way, on a ballot paper which may be posted or faxed.

For details, visit www.forestvoice.org.nz or phone 0800 500 168.

To download the Forest Industry Science & Innovation Plan >>

ENDS

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