Biosecurity Concerns of the Forestry Sector in Malaysia

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1 2005/ATCWG/WKSP3/011 Agenda Item: Session IV Biosecurity Concerns of the Forestry Sector in Malaysia Submitted by: Malaysia Workshop on Building Biosecurity Planning and Surveillance Capacity for APEC Member Economies Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia August 2005

2 Biosecurity Concerns of the Forestry Sector in Malaysia Lee Su See & Krishnapillay B. Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong Selangor INTRODUCTION The international movement of exotic forest insects, diseases and weeds which threaten forest sustainability worldwide have been facilitated by the recent rapid expansion of international trade and travel. For example, the United States is reported to have more than 400 exotic forest insect pests and 20 exotic forest diseases (Wingfield, M.J. pers. comm.). Many other well known examples are described by Cock (2003). The term invasive alien species (IAS) is now accepted as referring to those alien species that become established in a new environment, that proliferate and spread in ways that are destructive to human interests and natural systems (Anon. 2004). Invasive species can be found in all taxonomic groups, including viruses, fungi, algae, mosses, ferns, higher plants, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Exotic insect pests, diseases and weeds affect tree growth and survival, biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, local and national economies and trade. Exotic organisms can enter a country as deliberate or accidental introductions. Examples of deliberate introductions are of forest trees and crop plants, ornamentals, plants for erosion control, farm animals, pet and aquarium species, and biological control agents. On the other hand, accidental introductions can occur through ballast water of ships, as hitchhikers, cut flowers, materials for scientific study, logs and lumber, packing material and dunnage. In international trade, more than 80% of cargo is moved by sea and shipped in 20 to 40 ft long containers. It is estimated that more than 300 million TEU was shipped worldwide in 2003 (1 TEU = 1 Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) (Wingfield, M.J. pers. comm.). It is also recognized that inspection rates for cargo are low worldwide at between 1 to 5 per cent. Therefore, the chances of accidental introduction of an exotic pest organism in any country in the world are very high. For example, data obtained from the Yokohama Plant Protection Station in Japan (courtesy of M.J. Wingfield) shows that from the more than 12 million m 3 of logs imported into Japan in 2003, there were 3205 insect interceptions from logs imported from 20 of the 48 exporting countries; Malaysia was on the top of this list. Therefore, in this paper, we highlight the biosecurity concerns of the forestry sector in Malaysia in view of current developments, particularly in the plantation forestry sector. FOREST PLANTATIONS IN MALAYSIA The global awareness created since the 1992 Conference on Sustainable Development held in Rio de Janeiro of the importance of the forest in maintaining the environment and climate, has put more and more pressure into conserving the existing natural forest and to seek timber from other sources. This has resulted in many Asia-Pacific countries shifting from logging natural forests to plantation forestry as the alternative source of timber to sustain the timber industry in the future. In this respect Malaysia too is now giving a concerted effort to forest plantations on a large scale by rehabilitating badly degraded and abandoned lands in the country. To ensure this programme is successful, a new forest plantation company backed by the Government (Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities) has been set up. This new company, which has yet to be formally named, is to coordinate all the planting activities in the country. Over the last 60 years forest plantations in Peninsular Malaya have experienced some uncertain times. No serious commitments had been made to establish large forest plantations for timber production. This has partly been due to the fact that the country had been endowed with large tracts of natural forests and timber from these forests was abundant. Therefore there was no serious need to actually plant timber trees. Looking at the historical development of plantations in the country, in the 1970s exotic pines (Pinus spp.) were planted with the objective of setting up a mill to process and produce pulp and paper. The idea of the mill was later abandoned and it was then decided that the planting of Pinus spp. should be continued for poles and timber, but this was stopped because planting material was difficult to obtain in Malaysia. Later a number of other exotic species such as Acacia mangium, Araucaria spp., Eucalyptus spp., Gmelina arborea, Maesopsis eminii and Paraserianthes falcataria were established in the 1980s under the Compensatory Plantation Programme with the aim of producing general utility timber.

3 Similarly in Sabah too, Sabah Softwoods was established in 1974 to plant Pinus caribaea for the pulp industry, but slow growth and seed supply problems led to replacement of the pines with A. mangium, P. falcataria, G. arborea and Eucalyptus deglupta. Additionally, the Sabah Forestry Development Authority (SAFODA) was established in 1976 for the rehabilitation of degraded areas overgrown with lallang and A. mangium was the main species selected for planting. The Sabah Forest Industries (SFI) integrated pulp and paper mill began commercial production in 1988 and this facility mainly relied on hardwood timber from the natural forest for its raw materials, but as part of its strategic plan to sustain timber supply, SFI also planted A. mangium and Eucalyptus spp. In Sarawak also in the past there was no effort put into establishing forest plantations. Today the state has serious programmes to establish at least a million hectares of forest plantations within the next 10 to 15 years. Of the species planted in Malaysia, the nitrogen-fixing A. mangium appeared most promising because of its versatility. The species has far superior growth, wide site suitability, multiple uses and is generally free from serious pest problems. The other important fact is that it is easy to plant large areas as planting material is not difficult to obtain. To date A. mangium, planted on a 15-year rotation for production of general-utility timber constitute the largest area of forest plantations in the country. Another event that had simultaneously developed during the same period was the use of rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis) for timber. In Malaysia, there is a large hectarage of rubber plantations for latex production. In the past when the trees were felled for replanting, the timber of this species was not utilized for anything except as firewood. In the early 1980s FRIM carried out research to look at the feasibility of utilizing this rubber wood as a source of timber. The findings of this research became a breakthrough because today the rubber wood is heavily utilized in the furniture industry and forms a substantial revenue earner for the country. The wood of this species is now most sought after by the furniture industry. BIOSECURITY CHALLENGES Today biosecurity is emerging as one of the most important issues facing the international community. There is a growing need for countries to establish biosecurity systems either to meet obligations under international agreements relating to the environment or to take the opportunities and benefits offered by the trade sector. Presently very few countries in the world have a formal forestry biosecurity policy, among those who do are Australia and New Zealand who also have very strict quarantine rules and regulations. The questions before us are: i) Now that Malaysia is embarking in a big way to establish forest plantations, do we have a biosecurity plan in place? ii) What are the biosecurity concerns of the forest industry? iii) Do we need to have such a plan? These are but some of the many questions before us that need to be addressed. To do this we first of all need to understand what biosecurity involves and the parameters addressed. BIOSECURITY IN FORESTRY Biosecurity in forestry describes the concept of managing biological risks associated with forestry. It encompasses three main fields of activities: i) forest protection and phytosanitary issues; ii) the use of alien plant species in forestry that could become invasive and their impact on the ecosystem; and iii) the release of new/exotic genotypes including genetically modified trees. Phytosanitary Issues Pests are defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as any species, strain or biotype of plant, animal or pathogenic agent injurious to plants or plant products, i.e. insects, mites, molluscs, nematodes, diseases and weeds. It is a known fact that tropical plantation forestry has often focused on a small number of fast-growing, pioneer species, normally planted in pure stands, for example, Acacia mangium, Eucalyptus spp. Malaysia is no exception having focused mainly on planting A. mangium for forest plantations. Monocultures, especially of genetically similar trees, are generally associated with increased pest problems but the risk of pest outbreaks is not solely dependent on the exotic or indigenous status of a species (Nair 2001). Reliable information is required for any pest risk analysis or assessment. However, information is largely lacking for pests of trees in developing countries, both for trees grown in forest plantations as well as for natural forests. This problem is particularly serious in the tropics especially in South East Asia where forest plantations are expanding rapidly and where logging of natural forests is still being practiced. The danger of introducing new pests with the exotic tree species is high. Unlike the well known threat of South American Leaf Blight (SALB) of rubber trees caused by Dothidella ulei, little is known of the potential threats posed by the largely unknown pests of exotic forest plantation tree species.

4 Recently one of us observed the phyllode gall rust associated with Atelocauda digitata on A. mangium in Sabah and Sarawak. This disease which is known to occur on indigenous A. mangium in Australia and in A. mangium plantations in Indonesia (Old et al. 2000) had never been observed or reported from Malaysia before. This disease has caused the loss of several hundreds of thousands of seedlings in some nurseries in Kalimantan, Indonesia, but its impact after out-planting has not been assessed. Its appearance in Sabah and Sarawak is therefore a potential threat to Malaysian A. mangium plantations but as yet it is not known how, when and where this exotic disease was introduced. Another disease threat to Malaysian forest plantations is that of the rust Uromycladium tepperianum on Falcataria moluccana (syn. Paraserianthes falcataria or more commonly known as Albizia). This disease was first observed in albizia plantations in the Philippines in the late 1980 s and has more recently been found in albizia plantations in Sabah (Lee 2004). Like A. digitata, it is most likely an exotic pathogen and it is not known how the disease was introduced into Malaysia. In addition to the potential danger posed by exotic insects and diseases, newly introduced tree species are also exposed to the dangers of attack by indigenous pests, or normally harmless indigenous organisms which may become potential threats to the exotic host species. Many examples can be found in agroforestry, where new trees (both exotic and native) are constantly being adopted and abandoned because of new pest problems. This is a good indirect indication of the importance of forests pests in the tropics, despite the absence of precise data on economic losses (Cock 2003). Weeds may also pose a problem especially during the establishment stage of a plantation. Although well studied in relation to agriculture, little is known of the potential threats posed by exotic weeds in the Malaysian forestry context. There is therefore an urgent need for surveys, identification and further studies of the impacts of the pests associated with many important tropical timber trees, in both natural forest and plantation situations. Alien Invasive Species Some forest and agroforestry trees have the potential to become invasive when grown as exotics, particularly in the tropics, but it is difficult to predict which alien species are likely to cause serious damage if introduced. For example, there has been much discussion but little agreement on the status of the fast-growing A. mangium as an alien invasive species in Malaysia (see Lee 2004). There is growing awareness of the possible risks of invasiveness of forest trees but there is a general lack of quantitative information on the ecological and economic impacts of invasive forestry trees, especially in tropical Asia. Studies are needed to determine why introduced trees become naturalized or invasive, and protocols for assessing the risks of introductions need to be developed and validated. New genotypes The biosecurity threats posed by the introduction of new tree genotypes are discussed and well illustrated by Cock (2003). The introduction of new tree genotypes could potentially have adverse impacts, e.g. through the displacement of indigenous taxa or genotypes, or the transfer of genes (leading to local evolution, hybridization and introgression), with the resultant development of new taxa with novel ecological characteristics. However, as yet, there are few records of such impacts in the forestry sector. Introductions of other species associated with forestry, including biological control organisms, pollinators, mycorrhizae and other symbionts, etc., should be considered with caution and on a case-by-case basis. In the Malaysian forestry context these technologies remain at the experimental stage and have yet to be adopted in normal practice. The development of genetic modification (GM) has created new challenges in risk assessment. There are numerous ways in which GM technology could be used in forestry, for example, changes in wood quality, and there is considerable potential for improving forest trees by developing new genotypes with useful biological traits. In Malaysia research is on-going with genetic modification of certain tree characteristics but these experiments are still at the laboratory stage. Assessing risks in long-term tree crops such as forest trees is difficult, and uptake of GM technology is likely to be slow unless protocols that reliably assess the risks are developed, tested, and agreed upon. The economic rational for investing in genetically modified forest trees for commercial application is not directly apparent at present. WHERE DOES MALAYSIA STAND WITH RESPECT TO BIOSECURITY PLANNING? Activities related to biosecurity that are currently being carried out in Malaysia currently consist of monitoring of the movement of planting materials by the Crop Protection and Quarantine Division of

5 the Department of Agriculture and research on pests related to forest plantations conducted by FRIM and the Forestry Research Centres (FRC) of Sabah and Sarawak. Malaysia does not have a formal Biosecurity Plan or Policy. However, with the current serious interest in establishing large-scale forest plantations, it is timely that an appropriate mechanism addressing biosecurity issues be put in place. Currently Malaysia is short of both trained manpower and effective legislation to ensure effective implementation of biosecurity in forestry. To this end it is important that the various related Ministries, in particular the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture and Agro-based Industries, Plantation Industries and Commodities, and International Trade and Industry, meet to address these issues. Experts if necessary should be brought in to assist in developing the plan and also to train manpower to implement such a plan. The close cooperation and involvement of our neighbouring countries would also be essential to ensure that an effective plan is developed. The issue of implementation of the biosecurity plan/policy, if and when it is enacted, also needs to be addressed. This is because while policies are enacted at the Federal level, forests and land are under state jurisdiction and therefore implementation of such a plan would be dependent on the decision of the respective state governments. Moreover, many of the policy makers are not fully aware of the biosecurity issue. In the short term the existing setups in the Quarantine Division, Department of Agriculture, and the Entomology and Pathology Units of FRIM and the Forest Research Centres of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as experts from local universities working in the areas of pest and diseases can be drawn upon to ensure that no major pest outbreak or epidemic occurs in the new planting programmes to be implemented in the very near future. CONCLUSION It is quite evident from the above that Malaysia should have a Forestry Biosecurity Plan to ensure that the large plantations it hopes to establish are safeguarded from damage and attack by arthropod pests, diseases and alien invasive species. In addition, the natural forests now being protected and conserved will also need to be regularly monitored to ensure there are no serious pest attacks that can destroy this valuable national treasure. In developing and implementing this plan, we need to have a pool of trained manpower, close working relationships with the various government departments and local agencies as well as with our neighbouring countries, with the necessary legislations in place. Finally, by having a valid Biosecurity Plan, Malaysia will be better able to comply with the international agreements it has become a party to and at the same time take advantage of the trade opportunities available through the WTO (World Trade Organization) and ISPM (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures) agreements. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank Prof. M.J. Wingfield for generously sharing his information with us. REFERENCES Cock, M.J.W Biosecurity and Forests: An Introduction with particular emphasis on forest pests. FAO Forest Health and Biosecurity Working Papers. FBS/2E, FAO, Rome, Italy. Lee, S.S Diseases and potential threats to Acacia mangium plantations in Malaysia. Unasylva 217, Vol. 55: Nair, K.S.S Pest outbreaks in tropical forest plantations: is there a greater risk for exotic tree species? Bogor, Indonesia, Center for International Forestry Research. 74 pp. Old, K.M., Lee, S.S., Sharma, J.K. & Yuan, Z.Q A manual of diseases of tropical acacias in Australia, South-East Asia and India. Center for International Forestry Research, Indonesia. 104 pp.

6 BIOSECURITY CONCERNS OF THE FORESTRY SECTOR IN MALAYSIA Lee Su See & Baskaran Krishnapillay Forest Research Institute Malaysia Kepong, Selangor Malaysia Introduction Exotic forest pests threaten every country - Almost all countries have a few exotic pests - e.g. the USA has > 400 exotic forest insects and > 20 exotic forest diseases Exotics negatively affect: - Tree growth and survival - Biodiversity - Ecosystem functioning - Local and national economies - Trade 1

7 Recent developments Since 1992 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, more pressure on conservation of natural forest for environmental, climatic and other concerns Led to shift from logging natural forests to plantation forestry as source of timber Malaysian govt giving emphasis to forest plantations & rehabilitation/reforestation of degraded lands new co. under Min. of Plantations Industries and Commodities Forest plantations Peninsular Malaysia Early 1970s trial plantations with exotic pines for pulp & paper production, later abandoned 1980s - exotic fast growing spp. planted for general utility timber: Acacia mangium Araucaria spp. Eucalyptus spp. Gmelina arborea Maesopsis eminii Paraserianthes falcataria (Albizia) BUT no serious commitment to establish large scale forest plantations for timber production 2

8 Forest plantations - Sabah & Sarawak 1974 Sabah Softwoods planted Pinus caribaea for pulp industry, replaced with A. mangium, E. deglupta, G. arborea, P. falcataria 1976 SAFODA estb. for rehabilitation of grasslands with A. mangium 1988 SFI - production of pulp and paper with hardwood timber, A. mangium, Eucalyptus spp. Sarawak committed to planting 1 mi ha within the next yrs Most promising species Acacia mangium fast growing, versatile, not site demanding, easily established, few serious pests & diseases, 15 yr rotation for timber Hevea brasiliensis 1980s FRIM research showed potential of rubber wood for furniture indsutry. New timber clones developed. 3

9 How do exotic organisms enter a new country? Deliberate introductions: -Forest trees and crop plants -Ornamentals -Plants for erosion control -Farm animals -Pet and aquarium species -Biological control agents Accidental introductions: -Ballast water of ships -As hitchhikers -Cut flowers -Material for scientific study -Logs and lumber -Wood packaging material and dunnage International trade >80% of world products move by sea Most cargo is shipped in containers 20 or 40 ft long More than 300 million TEU shipped worldwide in 2003 (1 TEU = 1 Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) Container ships often cross oceans in 1 2 weeks Inspection rates low worldwide, between 1 5 % 4

10 Insect interceptions on logs exported to Japan in 2003 >12 million m 3 of logs imported to Japan in insect interceptions Insects intercepted on logs from 20 of 48 exporting countries Top 10 Malaysia Russia Gabon Papua New Guinea USA Canada New Zealand Solomon Islands Taiwan Cameroon Source: Yokohama Plant Protection Station, Japan Sirex noctilio Amylostereum areolatum Native range: Eurasia, North Africa Principal host: Pinus Early 1900s Detected in New Zealand 1952 Tasmania 1961 Australia 1980 Uruguay 1985 Argentina 1988 Brazil 1994 South Africa 2001 Chile 2004 USA 5

11 Ceratocystis ulmi & C. novo-ulmi Dutch Elm Disease Native range: Asia Hosts: Ulmus spp. North America C. ulmi detected in 1920s C. novo-ulmi found in 1940s Europe C. ulmi detected around 1910 C. novo-ulmi found in 1940s New Zealand C. novo-ulmi found in 1989 Biosecurity in Malaysian forestry Does Malaysia have a biosecurity plan in place? What are the biosecurity concerns of the forest industry? Do we need to have such a plan? 6

12 Biosecurity in Forestry 1. Forest protection and phytosanitary issues 2. Alien forest trees and their potential to become invasive 3. Release of new/exotic genotypes including genetically modified trees Forest protection & phytosanitary issues (1) Monocultures of genetically similar trees: - increased probability of pest outbreaks - sporadic pests may become permanent problems Pest risk analysis: - requires reliable, detailed information lacking for developing countries Danger of introduction of new pests with the exotic, e.g. SLB, Fusarium wilt of oil palm Threats posed by indigenous pests to the exotic crop 7

13 Forest protection & phytosanitary issues (2) Urgent need for surveys & ID of pests & diseases associated with important tropical timber trees, in both natural and plantation situations Uromycladium gall rust, P. falcataria Phyllode rust, A. mangium Alien species Potential to become invasive Effect may be multisectoral Difficult to predict which and when Need access to reliable information Protocols for assessing the risks of introductions need to be developed and validated 8

14 New genotypes/microrganisms Potential adverse effects e.g. displacement of indigenous taxa and genotypes, transfer of genes Introduction of biocontrol agents, mycorrhizas, symbionts, pollinators, etc. GMOs high potential in improving forestry, e.g. poplars in China risk assessment in long-term crops difficult Where does Malaysia stand? Monitoring movement of planting materials Crop Protection & Quarantine Division, Department of Agriculture Study of pests of forest plantations, forest products FRIM, Forestry Research Centres (FRC) of Sabah and Sarawak No formal Biosecurity plan or policy 9

15 Problems in forest health surveillance Most observations ad hoc Need for systematic surveillance Large forest areas plantations, natural forests Difficult terrain Trees long-term crops Insufficient trained manpower Limitations/Issues Lack of reliable, detailed information Need for more and improved coordination between different agencies, ministries, neighbouring countries Implementation of plan when enacted: - laws and policies enacted by Federal govt. - land and forests under State jurisdiction 10

16 International Forest Quarantine Research Group (IFQRG) Formed in 2003 to address forestry quarantine issues related to ISPM 15 (Guidelines for regulating wood packaging material in international trade) through discussion and collaborative research 1 st research question sent to IFQRG: Do insects and disease organisms infest wood after HT or MB treatment, especially when bark is present? Conclusion Malaysia needs a Forestry Biosecurity Plan to safeguard the planned large-scale forest plantations Survey of pests and monitoring of natural forests to protect precious natural heritage Compliance with the international agreements Malaysia has signed Take advantage of the trade opportunities available through the WTO and protect timber exports 11

17 Acknowledgements Michael J. Wingfield Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa 12