Call Topic E : Kiln drying

A call text for this topic is provided below. Please see the Applicants Guide for national eligibility, available national funding, and application processes

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Call topic title

Risk Analysis and efficacy analysis of kiln drying as a phytosanitary treatment of wood and wood products prior to import, as laid down in Directive 2000/29/EC

Background

Several wood samples from packaging wood intercepted during import inspection and analysed in Germany contained live Bursaphelenchus species as well as live Monochamus larvae which were able to develop to adult beetles. The moisture content was between 12 and 14% and so was much lower than the requirement of 20% or less after kiln drying (KD) treatment according to Directive 2000/29/EC. It is suspected, that the KD requirement often used for wood in Annex IV A I of the EC Directive may not be sufficiently effective under all circumstances.

Research need

The aim of the proposed project is to determine whether organisms of phytosanitary concern, particularly those mentioned in Directive 2000/29/EC, can survive the currently stated KD requirement and whether this is linked to particular life stages or strategies of pest organisms.

Approach: Laboratory testing within the proposed project will be carried out with naturally and artificially infested wood. Starting with high moisture content, development of the associated organisms (at least 2 insect species, 1 nematode and 1 fungus) will be assessed during controlled lowering of the moisture content. A comparison between technical drying of the wood in a laboratory kiln and drying under outdoor conditions will be carried out. Different life stages of the test organisms will be investigated. The work will examine the two principal variables of decreased moisture content and artificially applied elevated temperature during the kiln-drying process separately and in combination. The context for inclusion of temperature is for comparison with the requirements for heat treatment e.g. as in the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 15 for wood packaging which includes Heat Treatment to a core temperature of 56°C for 30 minutes.

Expected benefits

Current doubts on the efficiency of treatments of wood and of wooden products prior to import require testing of these methods in order to ensure that efficiency of control. Preventing the introduction of new pest organisms via wood and wood products into the EU can only be achieved by the efficient treatment of such wood and wooden products.