The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes a decision by Australia’s forestry growers to continue their enhanced research, development, and extension investment which sees forest grower levy funds and additional voluntary grower cash contributions matched with funding from the Commonwealth.
The extension for three years equates to more than $9 million per year that goes directly to priority research and development for the forestry sector.
AFPA Growers Chamber Chair Dr Andrew Jacobs, welcomed the commitment, “The forestry sector is committed to research, development and extension work. This significant commitment by Australia’s forest growers enables greater investment in research over and above the recently increased growers levy.
“These increased funds will be used to progress research in climate change adaption, pests and diseases and fire prevention.
“I’d like to thank all of the grower companies that contribute to this process and Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) for their ongoing management and support.
“Forest industries are sunrise industries in Australia and research is critical to positioning the sector for the challenges and opportunities that lie in the years ahead,” Dr Andrew Jacobs concluded.
