Management of insect pests : have the goalposts changed with certification? : operational deployment of technology

The certification of commercial forestry according to the Forest Stewardship Council specifications has successfully occurred in many South African plantations and this trend is set to increase in the future. Various principles and criteria govern the management of insect pests in certified forests, which differ from traditional control measures. Regulations on the use of insecticides, biocontrol agents, monitoring, assessment and management of insect pests have become more specific. World Health Organisation type 1a and 1b, chlorinated hydrocarbons and persistent, toxic and bioaccumulative insecticides are prohibited. Only Bacillus thuringiensis is acceptable from the about twelve insecticides used in forestry. The use of biological control agents need to be documented, minimised and monitored. Flora and fauna in general and insect pest species must be regularly monitored and the results incorporated into an ongoing management plan. A summary of monitoring indicators should be made available to the public. An integrated pest management approach for the control of insect pests is advocated but with restrictions on the use of insecticides and biological control. Although the FSC management plan for the control of insect pests would certainly contribute to the sustainability of commercial plantations in the future, it poses many challenges in the short term. Southern African Forestry Journal No.195 2002: 39-4