FSC and Gunns: It’s not too late…

As most of you probably know market forces have forced Gunns to apply for Forest Stewardship Council accreditation – something they’ve previously dismissed as being unnecessary, arguably because they knew their preferred methods of operating would in no way meet stringent FSC demands.
An FSC audit team was in Tasmania this week holding public meetings. Community approval through a ‘social licence’ is an important, and crucial, aspect of FSC certification. Without it accreditation will not be awarded.
It’s probably fair to say the audit team were left with a pretty clear impression of community feeling in respect of Gunns, but if you were unable to attend the meetings don’t think it’s too late to have your say. In fact the FSC facilitator Michael Spencer repeatedly said at Tuesday’s meeting in Launceston, the auditors are keen to hear from concerned stakeholders, and that includes members of the broader Tasmanian community. So tell them about all those issues of concern: aerial spraying, water contamination, poisoning wildlife, plantations being established on prime farmland, impacts on health, etc. As well as the appalling approval process for their deeply flawed pulp mill that was deemed ‘critically non-compliant’ by the RPDC. A planning process Gunns were swift to withdraw from when they realised they weren’t going to get the answer they expected. It’s essential FSC assessors know your opinion about Gunns’ less-than-ecologically-sustainable business practices, and their arrogant and dismissive attitudes towards the community in which they operate. In other words advising exactly why Gunns are not in any position to receive the accreditation they so desperately want in order to continue to sell their products in the global market. More information can be found at: www.rainforest-alliance.org/forestry/documents/gunnslimitedstakenotif101.pdf
But submissions must be received before 27th July 2010

Contact:
Graham Lea, SmartWood FM country representative for Australia/Audit team member
Mobile: 042 972 0013 Email: leag@agriquality.com
Irwan Gunawan
Forestry Service Manager, Rainforest Alliance, Asia Pacific Region/Audit team member
Email: igunawan@ra.org
Remember submissions must be received before 27th July 2010.
Anne