Communication in Crisis The South African Sirex Control Programme: A case study in Communication and Collaboration

1. Communication in CrisisThe South African Sirex Control Programme: A case study in Communication and Collaboration Sally Upfold, Colin Dyer & Philip Croft Institute for Commercial Forestry Research

2. What is Sirex? Sirex is a woodwasp whose larvae live and feed in the wood of conifers. When laying their eggs, they introduce a fungus (Amylostereumareolatum) on which the larvae feed, as well as a phytotoxic mucus. It is this process that ultimately kills the tree. The main control measure against Sirex is through biological control – the release of a nematode (Beddingia siricidicola) parasite of the wasp in outbreak areas identified by monitoring. The nematode renders the female wasp sterile, and she becomes a vector for the further distribution of the nematode. In addition, wasp parasitoids are also used to reduce Sirex population numbers.

3. Why is this pest such a threat??

4. South African Softwood Forestry Total – 721 357 ha

5. Sirex in South Africa 2008 2007 2003 2002 1994 2001

6. m3 Million Rand An Industry in Crisis… Both Growers and Processors in South Africa are affected by Sirex, with estimated volume losses for 2007 of nearly 0.5 million m3 for Growers and 0.2 million m3 for Processors, from the currently affected areas. This translates into R150 million and more than R600 million rand losses respectively. Of even more concern are the estimated volume and economic losses from areas at risk ahead of the front.

7. Sirex does not respect company boundaries – and an urgent response was needed • The challenge was to break the barriers of company and public vs private, and start working together to find a solution… • Needed to get all the relevant Stakeholders together and start COMMUNICATING… An Industry in Crisis…

8. The Solution needed participation of ALL the Stakeholders • South African Forestry Industry (large corporate companies, private timber farmers, small/emerging growers) • Government (Department of Water Affairs and Forestry) • Research partners(Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) and Forestry & Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)

9. The Result?South African Sirex Control Programme A collaborative initiative of the South African Forestry Industry in partnership with the South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, managed through Forestry South Africa OBJECTIVE: To develop and implement a strategy to manage the insect pest Sirex noctilio,to reduce the impact and risk to South African commercial pine plantations

10. SA Forestry Industry members are involved in activities in all these focus areas South African Sirex Control Programme

11. South African Sirex Control Programme

12. Biocontrol Programme A uniquely South African Solution with extensive Teamwork

13. MonitoringPresence and Levels of SirexEffectiveness of Biocontrol initiatives

14. Fungus Tree / Environment RESEARCH strategic initiatives to find solutions Nematode Parasitoids Sirex ResearchDeveloping a knowledge base of Sirexin South Africa In-house Research groups within the South African Forestry Industry together with the Forestry Agriculture and Biotechnology Institute (FABI) at the University of Pretoria support the South African Sirex Control Programme by providing a sound knowledge base of the insect. An extensive collection of information, relevant literature and photographs can be accessed from this site. (www.fabinet.up.ac.za/sirex)

15. Communication within and by the Programme • Manage the data being generated • Collate and share information within, and from the Programme • Involve and inform Stakeholders • Create Awareness • Share Knowledge and Expertise

16. Communication1.Manage the data being generated • Share data between companies, to facilitate monitoring and biocontrol initiatives • Generate knowledge

17. context independence wisdomwhy knowledgehow informationwho, what, when, where data understanding Generating Knowledge from Data understanding principles understanding patterns understanding relations Efficient and Effective Management of information and knowledge increases the effectiveness of the Programme

18. Build the “history” of the Programme – learn from the past Ensure integration and value addition of current efforts Provide direction for future initiatives Communication2. Collate and share information

19. Customise communication for different groups Report progress (project management and funding agreements) Provide direction for policy and decision-making Communication3.Inform and Involve Stakeholders

20. Relevant Media (brochures, Annual Report, media releases, identification cards) Scientific publications Website Field Days and Workshops Evaluation study (PhD study – University of Pretoria) Communication 4. Create Awareness and Evaluate its Effectiveness

21. Popular Media

22. Special Publications

23. Field Days and Workshops

24. Network and learn from experts around the world Build links and partnerships Communication5.Share and access Knowledge and Expertise

25. AN INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM AND WORKSHOP ON The Sirex woodwaspand its growing threat to worldwide forests and forestry 10-16 May 2007 Nelspruit, South Africa

26. Gathering of world experts to find a South African solution • For the first time ever, we brought together all the World Experts in Sirex… • Share Experiences and Expertise • Question, Listen, Advise & Learn • Test Ideas and Develop Concepts • Build Links for Future Initiatives

27. We weren’t always listening to one another or speaking with one voice… Some of the Initial Challenges… • Sirex provided a National threat that required alignment of all activities to provide an urgent effort to control it. • Initially, the South African Sirex Programme was a loose arrangement of concerned parties, operating at a company or organisation level. • There was no enforcement at an industry level and compliance was voluntary. • No clear mandate from government and no participation and support

28. And then the Successes… • We are managing Sirex in KwaZulu-Natal where it reached epidemic proportions, through biocontrol initiatives. • Through monitoring, we are tracking its movement and responding quickly and effectively to new outbreaks – slowing its progress north into Mpumalanga. • We have a programme with true private-public partnership, and full stakeholder representation and participation • We have secured sustainable funding • We have set up a Dual Approach: Long-term - Research Short-term - Operations • The programme appointed a Single Co-ordinator to ensure efficiency and delivery on the control programme and to act a a single point of entry. • In addition, we have developed expertise and knowledge base (with a global perspective) to find solutions to tackle the problem. • We developed the resources and capacity to produce biological control agents in South Africa.

29. Needed to go one step further… • The risk of pests and disease to forest plantations is likely to increase significantly in the (near) future. • This will have a high economic impact in most cases. • We need to address this both operationally and strategically, and it must be at a national level. • We need to have decision-making tools to assess the risk and develop plans for appropriate interventions. • We need for a framework which is both pro-active and reactive. • The learning curve for the Sirex was steep and expensive; we can not afford to go through the same process for each new threat.

30. The way forward… • Up to 2008, the control of Sirex was entirely funded by the private sector (through Forestry South Africa and by forestry companies directly). • As a result of the Programme’s efforts, the Industry has informed and participated in developing relevant policy at national level, through the Forest Charter • From 2008, and in line with the Forestry Charter, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has made funding available to enhance and extend the Sirex Control Programme. • In 2008, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between FSA and DWAF to take joint responsibility for the control of Sirex in South Africa. • Currently, we are developing a policy for broader strategic approach to managing risks associated with pests and diseases; an Integrated National Forest Protection Programme

31. Department of Water Affairs & Forestry2014 Forestry Strategy (2009 – 2014)National Forest Protection Strategy “The incidence of pests and disease in commercial forestry plantation is a growing concern for industry. The progressive spread of Sirex and the emergence of new pests and diseases highlight the risk to industry. Increasing mobility of society presents opportunities for the introduction and spread of pathogens and pests. The prospect of timber imports further adds to the potential risk of accidental introductions.”

32. Department of Water Affairs & Forestry2014 Forestry Strategy (2009 – 2014)National Forest Protection Strategy “The development of an integrated national forest protection strategy that addresses the challenges presented by forest pests and diseases is therefore a priority. The strategy should, amongst others, identify inherent weaknesses in the control of pests and diseases. It should have adequate provisions for short-term solutions, while at the same time providing for the long-term sustainability of the industry. The Department has developed a Terms of Reference for the development of an Integrated National Forest Protection Strategy that is focused on pests and diseases.”

33. A Integrated National Forest Protection Strategy

34. A Crises that threatened an entire Industry, forced communication and achieved something that could probably not have been achieved through other channels… So what??

35. Concerted efforts to bring stakeholders together, led to the formation of a true Public-Private Partnership, with sustainable funding So what??

36. The story has an happy ending…We are successfully managing Sirex, through biocontrol, monitoring and awareness initiatives, in a uniquely SA solution So what??

37. We have grown our knowledge base on Sirex and become recognised leaders in research in this fieldaround the world So what??

38. The SASCP has contributed to, and informednational policy, facilitating strategic change in managing pests and diseases in South African Forestry So what??

39. Sirex was a costly “test case” which provided many lessons and principles on how to assess and manage similar threats in the future.“Golden thread” throughout was engaging with all stakeholders, through effective communication & teamwork So what?? Thank-you