WELCOME CHANGES AFOOT AT FORESTRY TASMANIA

The Tasmanian Greens today said that a series of forestry reviews provides the first tangible progress report on the sector’s direction and priorities post the Tasmanian Forests Agreement (TFA).

Greens Forestry spokesperson Kim Booth MP said the Forestry Minister’s commitment that a review of sawlog specifications would be progressed as a priority action, is a welcome breakthough and validation of the concerns held by many in the industry.

“Forestry Tasmania has a long way to go in its quest for full Forest Stewardship Council certification, but if reforms such as a review of sawlog specifications and specialty timber management achieve their potential, then that can only assist in building community confidence that Forestry is genuine about changing to meet FSC requirements, rather than trying to use FSC criteria to justify the status quo,” Mr Booth said.

“The sawmill trial I undertook utilising, with Forestry Tasmania providing export logs that had been left to rot and split on the Burnie Wharf, proved that the categorisation practices applied to logs is woefully inappropriate.”

“This was confirmed again earlier this week with news that these same logs, deemed to be only worth shipping off shore, are now being provided to Ta Ann to be processed in their Tasmanian mills.”

“The Minister’s commitment to review sawlog specifications to secure increased resource recovery in a way that is operationally and economically viable is a responsible and long awaited step forward.”

“Similarly the Greens recognise the need for a coherent Special Timbers Management Strategy to be developed, we acknowledge that this has been identified as a priority, and we will be very interested to see the outcome expected early next year.”

“In these early post-TFA days, it does appear there is a genuine transformation occurring within Forestry Tasmania which is no longer automatically throwing up hurdles to block moves to address these significant industry and conservation concerns. The Greens believe it is important to acknowledge these efforts in the interest of moving forwards to secure good outcomes for our unique forests, as well as a restructured industry.”

“However, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating and the Greens will be watching closely the conduct and outcome of these necessary reform programs,” Mr Booth said.
Kim Booth MP Greens Forestry spokesperson Thursday, 27 June 2013