New Zealand will soon be in a position to export a large wood surplus, which will compete with Canadian exports. Radiata pine has a natural advantage of being readily treatable. 20% of New Zealand's total lumber production is treated with boron salts, either hot borate or cold thickened borate, followed by a diffusion period of 6-8 weeks for 50 mm thick wood. The lumber is usually sold green. There is an active research program to improve boron treatment. The viability of transferring New Zealand treatment practices to B.C. sawmills will depend on economics, technical and marketing considerations. There are potential world markets for borate treated wood which could be partly filled by western Canadian softwoods such as hem-fir and alpine fir. COFI and Forintek should investigate further and develop these markets. Impediments should be identified and addressed. Forintek should ensure it is up-to-date in knowledge of boron treatments used in New Zealand and elsewhere, and ensure that it has the technical information required to treat western Canadian softwoods