Conservationists have this morning halted logging in Esperance, in Tasmania’s far south, where logging has been destroying old growth forests for Malaysian logging cartel Ta Ann.
Forty people have occupied the logging area and one person is in a tree sit. The tree sit structure is attached to the logging machines, halting them from continuing logging today.
Huon Valley Environment Centre’s Jenny Weber stated, “Controversially Ta Ann continues to receive timber from old growth eco-systems, and this logging area is forest that was promised protection, and now tragically the ancient eucalyptus regnans and wildlife habitat is being lost.”
“Despite the passage of new forest legislation in the Tasmanian Parliament, new reserves are still being logged. This forest in Esperance with important ecological values is one area that was going to be protected, and logging has continued. Ta Ann is sourcing wood that comes from inside forests designated by law for future reserve protection. In the international market, Ta Ann continues to sell Tasmanian forest destruction,” Jenny Weber said.
Still Wild Still Threatened’s Miranda Gibson stated, “Today in these ancient forests people from around the nation, the Australian Student Environment Network, are joining with Tasmanian conservationists to highlight the ongoing destruction of native forests.”
“This logging operation is clear evidence that the Tasmanian Forest Agreement has failed, as we continue to see Tasmania’s old growth ecosystems destroyed for corrupt companies like Ta Ann. It is completely unacceptable that this destruction is being endorsed by the signatories to the agreement and by our government. Grassroots forest advocates will continue to take action in the defence of our native forests,” Miranda Gibson said.
Jenny Webber, Huon Valley Environment Centre, Miranda Gibson, Still Wild Still Threatened
