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

1
Communication in Crisis The 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 (Amylostereum areolatum)
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
(No Transcript)
4
South African Softwood Forestry
Total 721 357 ha
5
Sirex in South Africa
6
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
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
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
ResearchDeveloping a knowledge base of Sirex in
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/si
rex)
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
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
Communication2. Collate and share information

• Build the history of the Programme learn from
  the past
• Ensure integration and value addition of current
  efforts
• Provide direction for future initiatives

19
Communication3. Inform and Involve Stakeholders

• Customise communication for different groups
• Report progress (project management and funding
  agreements)
• Provide direction for policy and decision-making

20
Communication 4. Create Awareness and Evaluate
its Effectiveness

• Relevant Media (brochures, Annual Report, media
  releases, identification cards)
• Scientific publications
• Website
• Field Days and Workshops
• Evaluation study (PhD study University of
  Pretoria)

21
Popular Media
22
Special Publications
23
Field Days and Workshops
24
Communication5. Share and access Knowledge and
Expertise

• Network and learn from experts around the world
• Build links and partnerships

25
AN INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM AND WORKSHOP ON The
Sirex woodwasp and 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
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 Programmes 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 Forestry 2014
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 Forestry 2014
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 endingWe 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 informed
national 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