AFBI makes Research Exchange Visit to New Zealand

Dr Richard O’Hanlon of Grassland and Plant Science branch recently completed a short visiting research exchange to New Zealand funded by a European COST action.

A typical bleeding canker symptom of a Douglas fir tree. The plant pathology team in GPS examine several hundred of such samples per year for dangerous plant pathogens
A typical bleeding canker symptom of a Douglas fir tree. The plant pathology team in GPS examine several hundred of such samples per year for dangerous plant pathogens
Richard spent 3 weeks working in the forest research institute Scion, in Rotorua. While there, he compared the UK and New Zealand contingency plans for pitch canker of pine, a disease caused by a pathogenic fungus. The fungus is not present in either the UK or New Zealand, so it is vital that the contingency plans are fit for purpose in the event of an outbreak.

AFBI has been surveying for pitch canker of pine in Northern Ireland since 2014, testing 100s of samples per year on behalf of DAERA as part of the Northern Ireland forest survey.

Dr O'Hanlon also visited the University of Canterbury where he shared his research at AFBI with faculty.