Summary
Researchers assessed the impact of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification on pest management in the Brazilian private forestry sector. They found that almost all certified forest companies rated leaf-cutting ants as "very important" pests, and valued chemical control as a pest management technique. However, FSC certification prohibits the use of sulfuramid, one of the most widely used chemicals to control leaf-cutter ants, and encourages the use of more sustainable pest management techniques. This study finds that stopping use of sulfuramid could result in pest mismanagement, production losses, and higher costs. The researchers suggest that sustainable forest management rules such as FSC need to adapt to each locality.