The US Department of Forestry is reported to be evaluating a new kilning and conditioning regime which would enable ash to be exported with phytosanitary certification to the UK and rest of the EU from areas affected by the emerald ash borer.
The system comprises following the usual kilning cycle with a 24-hour reconditioning period, maintaining the wood at 60ºC.
According to Timber Trade Federation technical and trade officer Nick Llewellin, this process will be discussed in US/EU bilateral talks this month.
“If the US Department of Forestry has the necessary data to back up the efficacy of the conditioning period and the European Commission is satisfied with it, it will likely be put on the agenda for the EU Standing Committee meeting in May.”
If it is approved by the latter, he added, the first timber processed under the new regime could reach Europe by late summer.
The Forestry Commission’s head of plant health Roddie Burgess said that it would be “happy to derogate” inspections on North American ash treated under this system and backed with phythosanitary certification.
He added that earlier trials in Canada had shown that emerald ash borer can withstand kilning at 56ºC for 30 minutes. As the insect only infests the outer layer of the wood, another step to combat spread of the pest is to square edge the material.
