A new four-year Biological Control of Eucalypt Pests Alliance agreement was signed off by our partners and executed by the University of the Sunshine Coast on the 26th June 2018. BiCEP partners in the new agreement are founding members the Forest Science and Research Institute of Brazil (IPEF –Instituto de Pesquisas e Estudos Florestais) and Forestry South Africa through the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) of the University of Pretoria, with new member CELPA, Associação da Indústria Papeleira of Portugal. The first management committee meeting is expected to take place via teleconference in early September 2018, in which BiCEP priorities for research activities for the coming 12 months will be set. A current major research prioriy is on improving biological control of Gonipterus species complex weevils in Brazil, South Africa, Portugal and Australia.
BiCEP is seeking additional partners to join the project. Contact BiCEP Director Dr Simon Lawson at slawson@usc.edu.au for more information.