2 + 2 = 5 Collaborative herbicide research adds up

Transcription

1 2 + 2 = 5 Collaborative herbicide research adds up Gavin Matthew Manager Processing, AFPA IFA Plantation Productivity Symposium: proving R&D pays 14 May 2014, Mt Gambier

2 R&D Collaboration Collaboration is to work with another person or group in order to achieve or do something Can be done badly Can be done well

3 Need for Collaboration? The Consortium Why Collaborate? Forestry chemical use for forestry applications is relatively small (less than 1% of national spend) - but hugely important Chemicals and application methods relatively consistent across companies High cost of running trials Lack of desire by individual chemical companies to register promising chemicals for forestry uses Increasing certification requirements Decreasing R&D capacity Potential to access matched funds from FWPA Overall public good benefits to industry

4 The Consortium - History Dr Barry Tomkins previously coordinated a research cooperative which screened new chemistry in field trials, and was a key conduit for information and technology sharing via annual conferences; The original cooperative s membership was made up of both growers and chemical companies, and funding was entirely from member s contributions; Many plantation companies are SFM certified and committed to minimising chemical use and exploring alternatives; Due to Barry s impending retirement ending the research cooperative in 2009; need continued and significant support by industry - the new Consortium was born in 2010.

5 Consortium Objective To maintain and increase the productive capacity of Australia s forest industry by ensuring the continued availability of effective, environmentally and socially acceptable chemical control options by coordinating the forestry specific pesticide research effort. Develop and promote industry best practice and provide considered advice to the public, regulators, legislators, and industry

6 Consortium Program Annual program of Screening Trials Seek trial sites Treatment lists and trial structure EoI for Research Providers (RPs) Allocate trials, contract RPs and establish trials report to members Conduct ad hoc operational Trials Provide education and knowledge transfer to stakeholders via direct engagement, reports, publications, seminars and field days Utilise expert network in policy development and industry advocacy

7 Key Consortium Facts The Consortium has an active and engaged membership of 23 members - forest growers (16), chemical companies (5), general (2) being AFPA and FWPA The Consortium activities are funded by annual member contributions and FWPA matched funds (up to $200,000 per annum for up to 5 years + large in-kind support) All Consortium members have input into activities and provide in-kind The Consortium activities are prioritised and overseen by a nominated Steering Committee AFPA acts as the Consortium s coordinator, secretariat to the Steering Committee, and is the contract manager for agreements with FWPA and RPs.

8 Consortium Benefits (1) Industry s productive capacity can be maintained or increased through refining best practice chemical use Industry can coordinate and prioritise research with chemical producers to meet industry needs Direct engagement in the regulation process will reduce costs and time for new and existing chemistry Industry can proactively seek new chemistry with chemical producers to replace or assist current chemical solutions Operational Benefits: testing and improving chemical solutions to inform best practice and communicating that across the industry.

9 Consortium Benefits (2) $ Benefits: Most money spent in first few years of the plantation life and returns are far off into the future. $ impacts include: increased weed control decreased tree mortality higher stocking less chemical use (more specific) increases log grade An insurance policy: to continually seek better chemical solutions underpins: certification increased chemical resistance from weeds more specific application and effect (< spray drift) increased social acceptance

10 Challenges Developing new projects that are collaborative and broadly beneficial to industry is difficult R&D services capacity ever decreasing Obtaining promising new chemicals to test from chemical companies Difficulty, complexity and cost of getting new chemistry registered Increasing costs of conducting trials Organisational constraints: length of trials = big commitment, continued in-kind support for collaborative trials, lack of staff capacity and continuity Environmental affects (drought, floods, grazing)

11 Activities over the last 5 Years FWPA proposal with matched funding Representative Steering Committee establishment Membership management FWPA/AFPA contract in place (twice yearly reporting) 2014 Screening Trials 6 being established 2013 Screening Trials 12 established 2012 Screening Trials - 8 established 2011 Screening Trials 8 established 2010 Screening Trials - 8 established Operational Trials 6+ over the last 5 years Multiple policy submissions to agvet chemical regulation reforms

12 Next Steps Finalise existing trials; Review last 5 years of activity and report; Continue reporting to FWPA, membership and broader public as trials end; Consult with industry stakeholders to see whether the Consortium continues for an additional time and, if yes, engage with FWPA to renew arrangement for a further 5 years from 2015

13 The National Institute of Forest Industry Innovation Australia s forestry industries R&D problem decline in R&D spend and capacity In carbon constrained economies competitor nations backing wood as the preferred material of the 21st century many towns rely on forest products - need a new comparative advantage

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15 Current R&D situation in Australia exceptional researchers but.. R&D providers are under funded not well coordinated at a national level small clusters of linked activities

16 Global demand for wood products world construction market to grow by 70% to US$15 trillion by 2025 paper and tissue consumption to rise by 50% in Asia to 600 Mt by 2030 Australian consumption of all forest products to grow to 2050 ^ Housing construction, pent-up underlying demand, ^ aging housing stock and continued population growth good synergies (residues and new markets)

17 The Proposal

18 Australia will have a: nationally coordinated well funded industry, researchers and government supported globally competitive The Vision... R&D institute

19 A new National Institute central hub and spoke model hub: priority setting, capability mapping, coordination partnership of industry, government and R&D providers critical mass via a federal injection other leveraged resources Forestry, wood, paper and other new products and processes

20 In: productivity processes genetics silviculture building systems new products industry clusters Innovation

21 What is AFPA doing consulting with R&D providers and industry Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) RD&E working group (PISC / RDCs) universities, state agencies, companies briefing federal Ministers and departments briefing state Ministers and departments raising media awareness target is to get a broad recognition of the issue and a commitment

22 State Government s support All States have written to the Federal Government asking to engage on this proposal.

23 Questions?