Executive Summary

Forestry South Africa’s (FSA) Timber Industry Pesticide Working Group (TIPWG) plays a central role in promoting responsible, evidence-based pesticide management across the South African Forestry Sector.

This report consolidates key research projects undertaken collaboratively through TIPWG and its partners between 2019 and 2025, with the report serving to:

  • Demonstrate industry-wide collaborative pesticide research for certification compliance.
  • Showcase the Sector’s ongoing innovation in pesticide safety, efficacy and sustainability.
  • Highlight knowledge transfer, capacity building and partnerships with academic and research institutions.

Through collaboration between industry members, universities, research institutes and government entities, these projects contribute directly to improved forest stewardship, encompassing both environmental sustainability and social responsibility within forestry operations. 

Introduction

TIPWG exists to promote responsible and effective pesticide use within commercial timber plantations. The group coordinates research and provides guidance on pesticide adoption, regulatory compliance and the development of integrated pest management (IPM) practices.

TIPWG’s research mandate aligns with:

  • FSC and PEFC certification requirements on responsible chemical use and collaborative research.
  • The Forestry Sector Masterplan and national sustainability goals.
  • The need to build local expertise and modernise pesticide use in line with global best practice. 

Research Framework and Funding Streams

TIPWG research is guided by four principles: Safety, Stewardship, Compliance and Collaboration. Projects are identified based on certification requirements, operational needs and emerging risks. Funding is drawn from multiple sources, including FSA, the Forestry Sector Innovation Fund (FSIF), FP&M SETA and direct industry contributions.

Key funding streams include:

  • FSIF (Forestry Sector Innovation Fund) supports the Precision Forestry Approach to Modernising Pesticide Testing and Use. Implemented in partnership with ICFR, Stellenbosch University and FABI (2023–2025).
  • FP&M SETA provides funding for postgraduate research, such as risk modelling and environmental fate studies (2019–2023).
  • FSA and Industry Contributions support ongoing operational research, including fire-break desiccant trials.

Research Portfolio Summary (2019–2025)

Desiccants for Fire-Break Management (2014- 2020, ongoing registration phase)

Project Led: Prof Keith Little Nelson Mandela University

This project seeks to identify FSC-compliant alternatives to paraquat for use in tracer-line preparation. Supported by FSA and industry partners, the study has successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of pelargonic acid formulations as safer substitutes. Commercial-scale trials have shown favourable results. The  emergency registration process for pelargonic acid has been underway for a prolonged period, while FSA’s recent intervention with the Minister initially seemed like a cause for optimism and forward momentum, recent correspondence suggest the registration has been declined. The manufacturer is currently waiting for a letter from the Registrar stating the grounds for this and TIPWG will be working with them, and the registrar, quickly to resolve it. This research ensures forestry operations can maintain legislative and certification compliance while managing fire breaks safely and effectively.

Integrated Pesticide Risk Model for Plantation Forests (2019-2021)

Project Led: Dr Jonathan Roberts and Prof Keith Little. Nelson Mandela University

Collaborators: Dr Carol Rolando, Scion New Zealand

This project quantified pesticide use across the Forestry Sector and linked vegetation-management practices to productivity and risk. Funded by FP&M SETA and industry partners, the research produced a published model in Australian Forestry (2021), demonstrating how herbicide use correlates with yield, uniformity, and financial performance. The model could potentially underpin future decision-making frameworks aligned with FSC Environmental and Social Risk Assessment (ESRA) requirements, by providing a quantifiable basis for evaluating pesticide use, productivity, and associated risks.

Environmental Fate of Forestry Pesticides (Soil and Water) (2019-2023)

Project Led: Dr Noxolo Ndlovu, NCT Forestry and Prof Keith Little, Nelson Mandela University

Collaborator: Dr Carol Rolando and Dr Brenda Baille, Scion New Zealand.

This research investigates the persistence, mobility and environmental behaviour of pesticides commonly used in South African forestry, with a focus on soil and sub-catchment systems. Supported by FP&M SETA, NCT Forestry and FSA, the project forms part of a broader initiative to quantify the environmental risks associated with operational pesticide use.

A review of existing data and studies by Ndlovu et al. (2022) (Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science, 84[1]: 83–92) evaluated the environmental fate and risk of key forestry pesticides and identified the need for further field-based investigations under local operational conditions. Subsequent field data collection has been undertaken to address these knowledge gaps and to support the development of risk-modelling frameworks within the sector.

The findings contribute to a growing scientific foundation for responsible pesticide management in South African forestry and will help inform future management practices and operational decisions, as well as alignment with certification requirements.

Pesticide Use in Forestry Nurseries and Testing of Non-Hazardous Products (2019-2023)

Project Led: Ilke Opperman and Prof Keith Little, Nelson Mandela University

Collaborators: Jacqui Meyer TIPWG and Prof. Jolanda Roux, Sappi

This project evaluated ecologically sound pesticide alternatives used in South African forestry nurseries. Supported by FSIF, FSA, SGASA and NCT, the study surveyed industry-wide pesticide use, identified low-hazard alternatives and initiated screening trials to assess their efficacy under operational conditions.

The research fulfils FSC’s requirement for collaborative industry research into safer chemical alternatives and contributes to more sustainable nursery pest- and disease-management practices. Importantly, the findings from this work laid the foundation for the current FSIF-funded “Precision Forestry Approach to Modernising Pesticide Testing and Use” programme (2023–2025), which is now expanding these initial trials through advanced field testing and product registration efforts.

Precision Forestry Approach to Modernising Pesticide Testing and Use (FSIF Programme) (2023-current)

Coordinator: Jacqui Meyer TIPWG

Partners: ICFR, Stellenbosch University, Nelson Mandela University and FSA members

This programme expands the forestry pest-management toolkit and modernises pesticide application using drones and precision technologies. It comprises two main research streams:

  1. Testing of Alternative Pesticide Products
    Project Led: ICFR
    This stream identifies and evaluates new pesticide products to enhance efficacy, reduce environmental risk and strengthen regulatory submissions. To date, 34 ESRAs have been developed; trials for Quambalaria eucalypti, Powdery mildew and rooting-tunnel diseases are complete; and a label-extension application has been submitted. Preparations for biocontrol testing against wattle rust are underway.
    Note: This research directly supports FSC Criterion 6.9 by demonstrating collaborative industry action toward reduced-risk pesticide options.

  2. Modernisation of Pesticide Application through Precision Forestry
    Project Led: Stellenbosch University and Nelson Mandela University
    This stream evaluates manual, mechanical and UAV (drone) herbicide-application methods. Early results include the completion of Jina Parks’ MSc on UAV-based weed detection using AI segmentation, with PhD candidate Phozisa Dlokweni and MSc student Sihle Khuzwayo continuing investigations into application efficiency and early-growth impacts. The work aims to establish best-practice SOPs for precision pesticide use and minimise off-target exposure.

Research Impact & Outcomes

  • Total Projects: 8 (2019–2025)
  • Academic Outputs: 15+ (journal articles, theses, technical reports)
  • Capacity Built: 5 PhDs, 6 MScs, 1 Postdoc, multiple industry internships
  • Partnerships: FSA, ICFR, NMU, SU, FABI, Scion, SGASA and FSA members
  • FSC Alignment: All projects support Principles 6 & 10 (responsible chemical use, continuous improvement, collaborative research)

These collaborative projects provide concrete evidence of continuous improvement, transparency and innovation in pesticide management within the South African Forestry Industry.

Future Research Priorities (2025–2030)

  • Expansion of FSIF projects to include biologicals, biopesticides and residue monitoring.
  • Development of drone-based precision application protocols and risk evaluation.
  • Integration of findings into industry SOPs, training and Knowledge Hub resources.

Acknowledgements

FSA and TIPWG gratefully acknowledge the ongoing support and collaboration of:

  • Research Partners: Nelson Mandela University, Stellenbosch University, ICFR, FABI, Scion and SGASA.
  • FSA Members: Mondi, Sappi, NCT, TWK, York, Merensky, SAFCOL and others.
  • Funding Bodies: FSIF, FP&M SETA and FSA.