Japan market ‘opens’ to N.Z. radiata

Press, 25 June 1981, Page 2

Japan market ‘opens’ to N.Z. radiata

PA Rotorua Agreement has been reached in Rotorua to permit the widespread use of New Zealand radiata pine in the Japanese house-building industry. The agreement was reached after talks between Japanese and New Zealand scientists at the Forestry Research Institute on Monday and Tuesday. A team of five Japanese scientists and Government officials has indicated that New Zealand radiata, which has long been regarded as suspect by the Japanese because of what they saw as its inferior strength and quality, is now acceptable for building. The director of the utilisation and development division of the Forest Service, Mr T. A. Foley, said it was appropriate . the agreement had been reached in the heart of the timber country. “The net result is that a

greater quantity of radiata pine can now be used in, house construction in Japan. From New Zealand’s point of view it is a considerable improvement on the situation which has applied until now.” The Japanese had agreed to waive an important restriction which had eliminated timber within a ring width (the distance between the annual growth rings) of more than six millimetres. This had excluded 99 per cent of New Zealand radiata from the Japanese building industry. The talks had resulted in agreement to a limitation on pith (or corewood) which was very similar to that adhered to by the New Zealand timber industry. “These standards are subject to change,” said Mr Foley. “As Japanese knowledge of the timber improves we look forward to even

greater improvements in the -■ acceptability of pinus radiata.” Japanese builders would have to be educated in the use of radiata as New Zealand builders were 35 years ago. "Work on the ground in Japan — market development, promotion and education, can now begin,” he said. “This will primarily be the responsibility of the New Zealand industry — radiata pine sawmillers and exporters. “It will probably be done with the co-operation of New Zealand government agencies.” Mr Foley said no documents had been signed at the Forest Research Institute, but an unqualified assurance from the Japanese delegation had been received that the changes in the Japanese standards would be made.