Prime Minister Julia Gillard, understandably, has refused to be drawn, at this time, on her strategy to deal with the longstanding forestry rangle in Tasmania. She is awaiting a proposal to be put to her following discussions between forestry industry and environmental movement representatives. (The Mercury 17/7)
There is considerable concern that these groups may not be able to arrive at solutions acceptable to the broader community who wish for a profitable forest industry which is part of the solution to challenges such as climate change, air quality, fire safety, and water security and which has much less negative impact on conservation and heritage values and biodiversity.
An entirely plantation based forest industry would not allow for the high value adding to low volumes of specialty species timbers (SSTs) which can provide excellent long term employment for many workers. Plantation timbers are not suitable for many construction purposes.
Timberworker Ian Johnston (The Mercury 14/7) has outlined how SST harvesting could be achieved in a way which does not degrade mixed native forests and which is likely to be acceptable to the great majority.
Johnston details the reasons why Forestry Tasmania’s (FT) current aggregated retention techniques of harvesting are problematic, would not be certifiable by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and should be disbanded. FSC certification is the endorsement which discerning buyers are increasingly demanding. Gunns Limited have recognised this reality and so too should FT.
I hope that the Prime Minister will consider the sensible solutions put forward by Ian Johnston: Cutting through the forest feud, HERE
