Healthy Forests Research

Healthy commercial plantation forests will not only lead to greater profitability in the long term, but will enhance investor confidence in the short term. Healthy indigenous and urban forests will enhance non-economic as well as economic values including tourism and quality of life. Research in this area will also potentially reduce the chance of organisms moving from indigenous forestry to commercial plantation problem. Research to achieve this goal may also reduce trade barriers if pests and diseases are eradicated when possible and controlled and distribution understood when not possible. Research will also reduce crop impacts and management input costs by developing smarter ways of managing health problems.

Safe Wood Products Trade Research

Pests and diseases threaten safe and profitable wood products trade because of restrictions that may be imposed by importing countries if New Zealand hosts pests and diseases that are considered a threat to their forests. This goal focuses research on ensuring that we understand the risks to trade and take measures to minimise the risk.