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Pesticide use in planted forests in New Zealand
Authors: Carol Rolando, Brenda Baillie, Toni Withers, Lindsay Bulman, Loretta GarrettPublication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2016, Issue N.Z.J.For. 61(2) 2016, pp 3-10, Aug 2016
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry
Abstract: To protect New Zealand’s $4.8 billion per annum forest resource from weeds, diseases and pests, forest managers apply pesticides. This includes an estimated 405 tonnes of herbicide (various), followed by significant amounts of fungicide (mainly copper), and even less insecticide (alpha-cypermethrin). These applications are justified on the basis of the need to protect the ongoing productivity of New Zealand’s planted forests. Research has significantly influenced how forest growers use pesticides to protect the forest resource from the impacts of weeds, diseases and pests. Over 50% of this country’s planted forest area is voluntarily certified under the Forest Stewardship Council and all corporate forests have adopted the New Zealand Forest Owners’ Environmental Code of Practice. We review the current use of pesticides in forest management in New Zealand in relation to growers retaining their ‘licence to operate’ under adopted environmental codes of practice.