This project aims to maintain and increase the productive capacity of the Australian forest industry by diversifying the range of effective, environmentally and socially acceptable pesticide and control methods for weeds, pests and diseases while developing and promoting industry best practices (i.e., drift reduction technology) and providing considered scientific advice to the public, regulators, legislators and industry.
More specifically the project will:
- Conduct forest pest management screening, validation and operational trials using accepted applied research procedures, or where needed, develop new research procedures. Trials (referred to as Tasks) will be designed with applied outcomes as the key objective, addressing pest management priorities defined by the Steering Committee in line with the Consortium Strategy Document and KPIs. Interim progress reviews will be progressed by the Steering Committee as will all deliverables and milestones defined for a Task.
- Progress results from the screening, validation and operational trials towards label registration of new pesticides and off-label permits of existing pesticides in collaboration with pesticide manufacturers, which will assist with the continued use of appropriate existing pesticides, ensure best practice by the Australian forest industry and provide front line input into policy, regulatory reforms, and various certification schemes. This objective includes the integration of RPAS-related drift reduction technology on pesticide labels and off-label permits.
- Develop a series of best-practice guidelines and research procedures specific to forest pest management (for example on the use of RPAS) to standardise methods from the point of pesticide screening through to operational uptake. This objective is part of the Consortium Extension and Outreach Plan and will include new and updated APVMA research procedures for pesticide evaluation in forestry, operational guidance on new pesticide use or application through factsheets, videos and demonstration trials.
Program:
Damage Agents Investment Plan and Plantation Silviculture Investment Plan (further detail available here)
Research Organisation:
University of the Sunshine Coast (Dr Sam Van Holsbeeck)
