Southem Online 247: Of vuvuzelas; China's paper wall; and the little nations that can
Wednesday, 07 July 2010
SOUTHEM
ONLINE
Southern Hemisphere Forest Industry Journal Online news briefs
SOUTHEM Online - Issue 247 – 7 July 2010
Hi and Hola - Welcome to this edition Southem Online.The Football (Soccer) World Cup in South Africa is
reputed to be the biggest event of its kind in the world.Right up until near kick-off some
commentators expressed doubts South
Africa, with its economic, political and
social challenges, could successfully host such an event.However, as Roger
Godsmark of Forestry SA tells us in a podcast, the event has
not only exceeded international expectations but also been a real cohesive
force for good in the country.
One of the joys of watching the World
Cup has been the exposure given some of the smaller countries in the southern
hemisphere, including Paraguay
(see below). For more on South
Africa, go to the Podcast at: http://www.southem.com/index.php?option=com_seyret&Itemid=47
FOURTH FOREST ENGINEERING CONFERENCE – WHITE
RIVER, SOUTH AFRICA, April 5-7, 2011
First
Announcement
“INNOVATION
IN FOREST ENGINEERING -
ADAPTING TO STRUCTURAL CHANGE” The Department of Forest and Wood Science at Stellenbosch
University, South Africa
in conjunction with IUFRO, is proud to announce the presentation of the 4th
Forest Engineering Conference in April 5-7, 2011 at the Protea Hotel, The
Winkler, in White River, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
The Forest Engineering Conference (FEC) is an international event held every
four years and is a forum for forest engineers from around the world to share
their knowledge, experience, and emerging ideas.This meeting follows previous successful FEC
events held, in Mont-Tremblant, Canada (2007); Växjö, Sweden
(2003); and the inaugural event in Edinburgh,
Scotland in
1999.
The three-day conference, will include both oral and poster presentations. A
full-day field excursion is being arranged for the 6th of April in and around
the Nelspruit and White River industrial forestry plantation of KomatilandForests and York Timbers.A call for papers and posters related to the
conference theme and other important information will follow this first
announcement.FEC sponsors’ logos will be
added to the website, other official correspondence and future announcements.
Important Dates:
Early Registration DeadlineDecember
31, 2010
Late Registration DeadlineJanuary
31, 2011
Abstract SubmissionAugust
15, 2010
Contact Information:
For further information please contact Hannél Ham (
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
) or Pierre Ackerman (
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
).
TIMBERLAND
INVESTMENT CONFERENCE
Center for Forest Business
University of Georgia
March 23-25, 2011
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation
Lake Oconee, Georgia, USA www.ugatimberlandinvestment.com
Save the Date!
Forestry Climate, Investments and Opportunities are changing! Join us for our
2011 Timberland Investment Conference where we will provide you the latest
Forestry topics, speakers and opportunities.
UGA’s Center for Forest Business professionals and invited speakers will
provide you insight in the resilience of forest resources and how timberland
values have been impacted by the financial markets.The conference should meetyour timberland questionsas well as provide you the information
necessary to make themost prudent
timberland investment decisions involving the process of purchasing, management
and divesting a tract of timberland.
The Center for Forest Business integrates the latest academic research and
sound financial methods to provide education and service to forest industry,
investors and landowners throughout the world.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE Items headlined in SOUTHEM Online are drawn from a number of
sources.The source of the item is
quoted, either by publication or organisations in line with the practice of
fair reporting.Items originally
published in Spanish are translated by TMS Ltd.Every effort is made to ensure use of paid wire service material is
avoided at all times.Should users wish
to utilise SOUTHEM Online on their own web sites, we request that this is done
to accurately reflect the current layout to ensure attribution is appropriate.
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REPORT
PINPOINTS $33B IN SUBSIDIES IN CHINA’S PAPER GROWTH A recently released report by the US Economic Policy Institute (EPI)
identified approximately US$33 billion in government subsidies provided to
China’s paper producers in various forms from 2002 to 2009, the Australian
Plantation Products and Paper Industry Council has reported in its Canopy
newsletter.It said that the report
found that these subsidies, and not natural competitive advantage in papermaking,
had been primarily responsible for the growth of China’s paper industry and its
ability to provide paper at a substantial discount compared to US, European and
other global paper manufacturing countries.
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FOREST
OWNERS REAP BENEFITS FROM CARBON SALE
A collection forest owners and investors based in the South
Island of New Zealand recently concluded what is described as a landmark
agreement for a European government to purchase forest carbon credits.The deal was announced by Independent
Forestry Services Ltd (IFS) which facilitated the deal.Carbon Business Manager Mike Mitchell said in
a statement that the deal was significant as it involved an aggregation of
carbon credits from several private forest owners and investors. ************************************************
CATERPILLAR
PLANS NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN BRAZIL Global equipment supplier Caterpillar Inc. has announced plans to expand
its manufacturing presence in Brazil to further position the company to meet growing
customer demand across Latin America. Studies and site selection for the new facility
are at advanced stages and are part of Caterpillar’s long-term global manufacturing
strategy. A final location is expected to be announced later in the Northern summer/Southern
winter.The new facility will produce
backhoe loaders and small wheel loaders, a company statement said. ************************************************
PULP MILL DISPUTE
‘NO FOOTBALL MATCH’ – BOTH SIDES MUST WIN
Argentina’s Foreign Affairs Minister Héctor Timerman has used a soccer analogy
in urging caution in seeking a resolution with Uruguay over the Botnia/UPM pulp
mill and its environmental impact.He
said the issued could not be seen as “a football match where one side wins and
the other looses”, but rather as a situation where “the peoples of both
countries benefit”, Mercopress has reported. ************************************************
SA
ACCOUNTANTS WANT ‘REVENUE NEUTRAL’ CARBON TAXES South African accountants want the government to ensure that any
further carbon taxes introduced are “revenue neutral”.Engineering News has reported the call from
the Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).It quoted Anja Finnern, the SAICA chairperson of the Carbon Tax
Committee and KPMG Tax Services manager, as saying “The efficacy of a carbon
tax should not be measured by its revenue yield, but by its impact on emissions
in the context of the overall government mitigation policy.”She said business needed to formulate a
common position on carbon tax as a matter of urgency, and noted that South
Africa was behind the international curve. ************************************************
BRAZIL’S
FORESTRY LAW CHANGES ‘DOOM FOR AMAZON RAINFOREST’? A proposed re-evaluation of forestry codes in Brazilian law could
have catastrophic consequences for the Amazon rainforest, Graham_Land wrote in
a blog on Climate & Change, Conservation, Politics at greenfudge.org for 6 Jul
2010.He said the issue of keeping
Brazil’s strict forestry laws intact or legally opening up more forest for
economic development pitted environmentalists against Ruralistas, who claimed that current laws were stifling economic
growth and keeping peasants in poverty.
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HANCOCK
INVESTORS FUND A$600M DEAL TO BUY QUEENSLAND PLANTATIONS
Clients of the US-based Hancock Queensland Plantations have spent A$603 million
on acquiring the licence to manage more than 200,000 hectares of plantation
lands from the government of the Australian state of Queensland.Hancock Queensland Plantations is a company
managed by Hancock Timber Resource Group (HTRG) on behalf of institutional
investors, a company statement said. Hancock
Queensland Plantations’ client investors paid A$603 million for Australia’s
Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ) whose main asset is a 99-year licence to
manage, harvest and re-grow plantation timber on approximately 204,000 hectares
of plantation lands.
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ARAUCO
SAWMILL REOPENING BOOST FOR JOBS IN QUAKE-HIT REGION
Chilean forest products group Arauco recently celebrating the reopening of a
major sawmill in the region most impacted by the 27 February 2010
earthquake.Local authorities and company
executives recently gathered at a ceremony to reopen the company’s Aserradero
Horcones II sawmill.The sawmill’s
reopening meant the recruitment of 165 workers, with the start up helping to
contribute to stabilising employment in the zone most hard hit by the
earthquake, Lignum reported.
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WORLD BANK
APPROVES US$4.5MI GRANT TO RESCUE PARAGUAY FORESTS
The World Bank Board has announced the Directors have approved a US$4.5 million
grant from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) to help Paraguay’s efforts to
preserve biodiversity and manage Paraguay’s eastern Atlantic Forest, around
Itaipú dam’s areas of influence, in a sustainable manner.Paraguay lost at least 80 percent of its
forests in the last 50 years. Of the remaining 2 million hectares (4.95 million
acres) of Upper Parana Atlantic Forest, it is estimated that only 800,000 ha
are valuable from the point of view of conservation and sustainable use.
NORWAY
PROVIDES PARAGUAY WITH SUSTAINABLE FOREST POLICY STUDY
Meanwhile, Norway provided Paraguay with a study to help the landlocked Latin
American country in its bid to more accurately measure and manage its fast
disappearing native forests.A report in
ABC Digital said an announcement from the Paraguay Offices of Investments and
Exports (Rediex/MIC in Spanish) noted that the study was based on the
development and applications required to implement forest policies. ************************************************
PERU PLANS FORESTRY
AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES AGENCY Meanwhile, in Peru the government executive has sent to Congress a
project aimed at creating a new agency responsible for overseeing the use of
forestry and wildlife resources, The Peruvian Times reported.It’s reported that the law would create a
national forestry and wildlife service called Serfor. The newly created agency would report to the Ministry
of Agriculture and would be responsible for administering, planning and
regulating the sustainable use and protection of forestry and wildlife
resources.
************************************************
ZIMBABWE
WARNS TOBACCO FARMERS OVER INDIGENOUS WOOD USE Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has warned
tobacco farmers against the indiscriminate cutting of trees to cure tobacco,
the Zimbabwean Times has reported.The
UK-based online newsletter said that the ministry started issuing notices
recently to all flue-cured tobacco growers across the country notifying them
that no farmers will be allowed to grow tobacco in the 2010/2011 planting
season without a woodlot or coal for the curing process.
************************************************
PORT
ENVIRONMENTAL LICENCE LAPSE
In Paraguay, the Secretary of the Environment (Seam) has announced that a key
port on the Paraguay River has been operating without the necessary
Environmental Licence.ABC Digital
reported that C, in the zone of Zeballos Cue, had failed to complete the legal
steps required for a licence.The
statement said the port had operated without the Environmental Licence
effectively for 90 days. As a result, the port company had to regularise the
situation by undertaking an environmental impact study and public consultation
with residents in the zone.
************************************************
NZ
RESEARCHER ANNOUNCES BOARD CHANGES, NEW CEO
More changes at the New Zealand forest research agency, with the announcement
of new appointments to the board of Scion.The announcement comes days after Scion CEO Dr Tom Richardson announced
he would be leaving the postToday Research, Science and Technology Minister
Wayne Mapp announced the appointment of a new chairman, deputy chair and an
additional director to the Scion Board with effect from 1 July 2010. “I am delighted to welcome Tony Nowell and
Judith Stanway to the Board and also congratulate current director Alison
Andrew to her appointment as Deputy Chair,” said Scion CEO Dr Tom Richardson.
************************************************
SCION WINS
APPROVAL FOR WASP TO CONTROLL GUM LEAF SKELETONISER Meanwhile, Scion said in a statement that its application to the
Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) for permission to release a
parasitic wasp into New Zealand to control the gum leaf skeletoniser has been
approved.The gum leaf skeletoniser
Uraba lugens is an Australian moth that has the potential to defoliate
thousands of hectares of Eucalyptus plantations as well as ornamental
Eucalyptus grown for shade and shelter throughout New Zealand.Scion entomologist Dr Lisa Berndt said in the
statement that the young caterpillars skeletonise gum leaves by eating the
green parts of the leaves, avoiding the veins, which results in a skeleton
appearance to the leaf.
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ARTICLES OF
INTEREST FROM THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE FORESTRY
SCION
PROGRAMME ON INDUCED RESISTANCE IN TREES Alieta Eyles, Pierluigi Bonello, Rebecca Ganley, Caroline Mohammed .
“Induced resistance to pests and pathogens in trees” (p 893-908). A review of
Scion’s research programme on induced resistance to pests and pathogens in
trees. New Phytologist, Vol 185 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123214864/abstract
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EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
TIMBER
PROCUREMENT
A major exporter of lumber and timber to Asian markets, with an effective
network of offices around Asia Pacific, wished to hire a Procurement Officer
for its New Zealand office. This is a newly created role, to reflect the growth
the company is experiencing and to prepare for future expansion plans. For more
information please call Eleanor Sayer +64-9-300 6360.
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MEETINGS
WILLOW USE IN NEW TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS 22 July 2010. Jornada
Técnica sobre el Sauce en la EEA Delta del Paraná – A Technical Day on Willows
in the EEA Delta of the Paraná River. Willows in Argentina are mostly used in
newsprint and particleboards, with some going to solid wood uses. The meeting
will identify the physical qualities of willow and the potential for the wood
in a range of different technological applications.
SOUTHERN
HEMISPHERE HOODIE-HOO DAY
22 August 2010 - Southern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo Day - this is the day to go
outdoors at high noon and yell “Hoodie-Hoo” to chase winter and make ready for
spring, only one month away. http://www.answers.com/topic/southern-hemisphere-hoodie-hoo-day
ARGENTINA
FOREST FAIR
23-26 September 2010. Argentina Forest Fair at Posadas, Misiones, Argentina.
Feria Forestal Argentina.Parque Centro del Conocimiento - Posadas (Misiones) www.feriaforestal.com.ar
FOREST
PRODUCTS TRANSPORT FOCUS ON SOUTH AMERICAN CHALLENGES
27-28 September 2010. International Forest Products Transport Association
(IFPTA) 2nd South American Regional Seminar. Sao Paulo, Brazil. The IFPTA 2nd
South American Regional Seminar will focus on the opportunities and challenges
for logistics companies in the growing South American forest products
markets.Throughout South America,
infrastructure is one of the most important challenges facing forest products
logistics. How are companies and governments responding to this challenge? What
changes or developments might be expected to accommodate the continued increase
in demand for South American forest products? www.ifpta.org/saconf2010
CANOPY
PROCESSES IN A CHANGING CLIMATE
7-15 October 2010 - Travelling Workshop: Canopy Processes in a Changing
Climate. South East Australia. IUFRO 2.01.12 http://www.iufro.org/science/divisions/division-2/20000/20100/20112/
Contact: Anthony O'Grady,
anthony.ogrady(at)csiro.au
NEW ZEALAND
JOINT INDUSTRY CONFERENCE
11-13 October 2010. New Zealand Pine Manufacturers Association and Joint
Industry Conference at Te Papa, Wellington.October 11, Timber Design Awards. October 12 Joint Conference. October
13 Individual AGM/Conferences. Go to: http://www.pine.net.nz/
REMOTE
SENSING & GIS APPLICATIONS IN FOREST ENGINEERING
19-20 October 2010. 9th Seminar on Remote Sensing & GIS Applications in
Forest Engineering. Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. http://www.9seminarioflorestal.com.br/home/
CHILE FOREST
SCIENCE CONGRESS
27-29 October 2010. 5th Chilean Congress of Forest Sciences. Temuco, Chile. Temuco
Catholic University (TCU), Chilean Society of Forest Sciences (CSFS). Contact:
Elizabeth Margaret Gutiérrez, congresoforestal(at)uct.cl.
FORESTRY
EDUCATION AND RESEARCH FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
Call for Abstracts: Forestry Education and Research for the Asia-Pacific.
ICRAF, Manila, The Philippines, 23–25 November 2010. Abstract submission
deadline: 31 May 2010.This conference
aims to strengthen the contribution of forestry education and research towards
sustainable forest management in the Asia-Pacific region.The course is organized by the University of
the Philippines Los Banos, with support from the World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF).For more information, go to: http://www.mailprosx.com/mp/link.php?M=115574&N=1182&L=4540&F=H
LATIN
AMERICAN WOOD PROTECTION CONGRESS
5-8 December 2010. 2do Congreso Iberoamericano de Protección de la Madera. The
Second Latin American Congress of Wood Protection, at Mar Del Plata, Argentina.
IUFRO 5.00.00 – see: http://www.iufro.org/science/divisions/division-5/50000/
Contact: Osvaldo Encinas, osenbla(at)gmail.com http://www.ripma.org/
AUSTRALASIAN
FOREST GENETICS CONFERENCE
8-10 February 2011. Australasian Forest Genetics Conference: integrating
quantitative and molecular tools. Christchurch, New Zealand. Contact: Luis A.
Apiolaza, Email: Luis.Apiolaza(at)canterbury.ac.nz. http://isebindia.com/icpep-4/icpep-4.html
INTERNATIONAL
CONGRESS OF WILLOW IN ARGENTINA
16-18 March 2011.III International
Congress of Willows in Argentina (IIIº Congreso Internacional de Salicáceas en
Argentina). In Neuquén, Argentina. Open to representatives from the public and
private sector, the scientific community, producers, industries, technicians,
students and all people interested in this species. Go to: www.jornadasalicaceas.com
IX
INTERNATIONAL RANGELAND CONGRESS – IRC2011 2-8 April 2011. IX International Rangeland Congress “Diverse
Rangelands for a Sustainable Society”. Rosario, Argentina.See: www.irc2011.com.ar
IUFRO TREE
BIOTECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE
26 June-2 July 2011. IUFRO Tree Biotechnology Conference 2011 - From genomes to
integration and delivery. Arraial D’ajuda, Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil.
Contact: Dario Grattapaglia, Email: dario(at)cenargen.embrapa.br. http://www.treebiotech2011.com/
BREEDING AND
GENETIC RESOURCES OF FIVE-NEEDLE PINES
15-25 Aug 2011. 4th Conference on the Breeding and Genetic Resources of
Five-Needle Pines. Tomsk, Russia. IUFRO 2.02.15, Contact: John King, Email:
John.King(at)gov.bc.ca. http://www.iufro.org/science/divisions/division-2/20000/20200/20215/.
CLIMATE,
SUSTAINABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT 16-20 August 2010. 2nd International Conference: Climate,
Sustainability and Development in Semi-arid Regions. Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil.
Contact: contact(at)icid18.org http://www.icid18.org/
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ANOTHER SIDE
PEANUT
GALLERY: IN THE MOOD FOR VUVU The lighter side of the Football World Cup experience.Aussie TV funny guys take on the Vuvuzela –
the plastic trumpet that has set a monotonous buzz to the games. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_RGiUJQuZ8
