Forestry researchers and technicians need to speed up technical innovation as the forestry industry faces increasing challenges in maintaining ecology and energy safety, alleviating global warming and easing lumber shortage, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said Thursday.

Hui encouraged scientific and technological workers at a meeting to mark the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Society of Forestry to take up the heavy tasks with determination and make more brilliant achievements.

He urged them to start more field research on major and crucial issues, contribute suggestions to the governments to facilitate the development of forestry industry.

He said the society should double its efforts to spread popular science among the public in a regular and more efficient manner and help farmers to grasp advanced forestry technology.

(Xinhua News Agency July 13, 2007)