Brazil | Rio Grande do Sul is mobilizing to promote the cultivation of forest plantations

The meeting was led by state deputy Carlos Burigo, president of the Parliamentary Front, and included the participation of the mayor, Thiago Teixeira; the president and executive director of SINDIMADEIRA-RS, Leonardo de Zorzi and Moacir Bueno da Silva; and the executive director of Ageflor, Jorge Heineck. The agenda of the meeting focused on the recent achievements of the Parliamentary Forestry Front and included the main demands of local businessmen. Reestablished in 2023, the Parliamentary Front for Forestry has determinedly addressed the historical obstacles of the sector, recovering its productive capacity. Among the progress achieved, the update of forest environmental zoning stands out, which significantly expands the areas suitable for forest plantation in the State.Phytosanitary controls of pine forestsPine wood is one of the main raw materials for Brazilian products internationally recognized for its high quality and versatility. It is used in various industries, such as furniture, construction, doors, frames, panels and many others. This is largely due to the good health of the forests, with high standards of management, prevention and pest control. In early April, an agreement signed between Embrapa Florestas and the Fund National Center for Forest Pest Control (Funcema) will guarantee phytosanitary excellence in pine forestry. The document renewed the Cooperation Agreement focused on the research and development of solutions for the prevention and control of the wood wasp (Sirex noctilio). The meeting was held in Colombo, at the headquarters of Embrapa Florestas. The wood wasp is the target of one of the most successful biological control programs in the country.Embrapa Florestas is a pioneer in Nematec, a nematode-based gel solution that acts in the control of this pest.Used for decades in Brazil, the product has high efficacy and is widely adopted by companies and forestry producers as an essential tool in the integrated management of Sirex noctilio.Embrapa Florestas will continue to be responsible for producing the biological solution, as well as providing technical support to foresters, guiding them in the correct application and management of nematodes in the field.The new The agreement also expands the scope of joint action by including research focused on the control of Sirex obesus, a recently identified species of wasp that has been attacking tropical pine plantations, especially in the state of São Paulo. Funcema is made up of the Association of Forestry Companies of Rio Grande do Sul (Ageflor), the Association of Forestry Companies of Santa Catarina (ACR), the Association of Forestry Companies of Paraná (Apre) and the Brazilian Association of Resin Producers (Aresb). The funds administrative board is made up of Ageflor, ACR and Apre.