Timber iQ February - March 2019 // Issue: 42 | Page 9

NEWS streams in South Africa and we have gene editing potentially making the world a safer place by curing disease and providing a valuable tool to produce more from less.” All this made possible from the humble tree. BIOTECH BOON “The forest product sector is entering a remarkably exciting era, especially in tree breeding and wood science research and exploring the use of wood as a renewable, low carbon material in the bio-economy,” she says. “As a sector, we have to respond with considerable urgency to the challenges and opportunities that we are currently experiencing, and to this end there has been significant development in innovative biotechnologies that facilitate faster, more precise and efficient tree breeding.” The forest and paper sectors face increasing pressure to meet demand. Issues such as vulnerability to pests and disease, along with competing uses for natural resources, require accelerated adaptation to climate change effects. There is also a need to improve the quality and quantity of products. A number of interventions are being developed around the world to: • Increase yields while retaining environmental integrity. • Promote climate adaptation to optimise resource use and increase resistance to pests and diseases. • Limit the growth of invasive tree species outside controlled plantation areas. • Optimise downstream value chains and reduce wastage. • Increase food security. • Educate landowners and wider communities about the benefits of tree planting. PLANTED TREES FIND THEIR PLACE While timber plantations represent only 7% of the planet’s forest area, they provide half of the wood for industrial purposes. There is the global transition towards a bio-based industry that uses renewable materials to replace finite, petroleum-derived products. “The forestry sector is well-placed to serve this transition, not only at research level but also on the ground,” says Molony. With the formal timber sector employing about 13.7 million workers globally and generating a gross value add of more than USD600-billion each year, it is a key contributor to the economy of many countries. It is also an important component in terms of giving effect to the Climate Change Paris Agreement through carbon sequestration, while the goods and services provided by forests make significant contributions towards the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The ICFPA meeting heard presentations on health and safety and a chain-of-custody standard for wood and wood products being finalised by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). // FEBRUARY / MARCH 2019 7