At the 6th meeting of The International Research Group on Wood Preservation in Vienna, it was decided to approach all interested parties in order to: collate available information, set up collaborative work and to stimulate research on the performance of treated timber, especially hardwoods, in ground contact. In recent years, considerable concern has been expressed about the performance of preservative treated hardwoods in ground contact. Unexpected failures of seemingly well treated hardwoods to soft rot has stimulated work at several research centres. Ideas and theories are beginning to be put forward and the IRG consider that a major effort is required in this area. It has been decided to direct this effort into 2 main areas: a) In the collation of all existing data held around the world concerning the performance of treated timber in ground contact; and b) In the establishment of a co-operative field experiment to study the performance of treated hardwoods. It is hoped that this field experiment will also stimulate related research which can be related to the field results.

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