With the support of Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other industry representatives, Phytos was pleased to host three government officials from India during February. The purpose of the visit was to continue exploring solutions to the recommencement of New Zealand’s wood fibre trade with India.  

The export of New Zealand bulk logs to India ceased following the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2021 decision on the modified reassessment of methyl bromide (Mbr) and the subsequent prohibition of Mbr ship hold fumigations. Work to re-start the estimated $300 - 400 million market has been underway for some time, with the recent visit just one part of the overall effort.  

The delegation itinerary included a range of specific presentations and field trips.  The first stop was Scion where the delegation was presented with an overview of the NZ forest industry, our pest surveillance programme, and current phytosanitary solutions. This was followed by a visit to the Port of Tauranga with Genera Biosecurity who demonstrated Vaporph3os (phosphine gas) and methyl bromide (with recapture) fumigations.  At Plant and Food Research the delegation observed insect colonies in the laboratory, and at Wiri the group observed the fumigation and venting of a container using EDN.

Following the time out in the field, the group met with MPI to lay out three phytosanitary work streams. These work streams are:

• Treatment on arrival with methyl bromide

• EDN

• A systems approach to phosphine

At this stage all three work streams are in progress. Most recently MPI and Phytos have developed a draft systems approach for phosphine that is logistically workable and has multiple risk mitigation measures. This includes consideration of appropriate forest monitoring methodology and pre- and post-harvest criteria.

On the back of this visit we are confident in our future trade of New Zealand’s wood fibre with the Indian market. The Indian Government are supportive and committed to finding solutions to recommence trade.

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