15 July 2014

Strong rumours are circulating in Australia that CSIRO will be sending 33 forestry scientists down the road. If true, the Australian forest industry faces a dismal future says the Australian Forestry Products Association (AFPA).

AFPA Chief Executive Ross Hampton says the association has been told by staff affected that their jobs will be axed, and Democratic Labour Party Senator John Madigan told last night's Lateline programme he'd heard the same.

Forestry scientists conduct research into forest growth rates, carbon sequestration and biofuels.

Hampton says Australia risks falling behind when it comes to international research in the forestry sector.

"It makes absolutely no sense for Australia to take the foot off the pedal now, to back out now, and hand over this incredible comparative advantage that we've built over 85 years, to our competitor nations," Mr Hampton said.

"They'll be going to Chile, to China, to Argentina, to Vietnam, to places like Canada and New Zealand."

The CSIRO says its 'forestry' section employs about 54 people and that the details of job cuts are still being worked out.

The organisation has confirmed the loss of nine forestry genetics and genomics staff in Canberra and Brisbane, and that three scientific staff in the area of forest genetics and improvement will be retained in Canberra

A CSIRO spokesperson said the organisation's potential to provide forestry research will remain, regardless of staff changes.

"CSIRO will be retaining capability in forest sciences that can contribute to greenhouse gas mitigation and climate adaptation strategies," the spokesperson said.

"As well as science focused on water, fire and environmental management relating to trees in landscapes, some of which will be located at our Sandy Bay laboratory.

"This capability, along with the forest genetics and improvement staff retained in Canberra will form a nucleus from which we can grow our efforts in the future, should industry and government be able to increase its co-investment."

Source: ABC Rural story by Lucy Barbour