Release of the Australian Senate inquiry report which recommends withdrawal of the Australian government’s proposal to the World Heritage Committee to remove 74,000 hectares from the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area also puts pressure on the forest industry to get active in pushing for the excision to be dropped, if they genuinely support environmental protection of globally significant forests.
The committee observed that the only conclusion to be drawn from the evidence was that the real reason for delisting was to allow access for forestry (4.11 & dissenting report), and also expressed disappointment that some signatories to the Tasmanian Forests Agreement did not give evidence despite repeated invitations (para4.14) – this refers to the Forest Industries Association of Tasmania (FIAT) and the CFMEU.
“Only last year the Tasmanian forest industry claimed that they supported the World Heritage listing and protection of these forests for their outstanding universal values. It was meant to be part of a change towards an environmentally responsible forest industry,” said Markets For Change CEO Peg Putt.
“Yet when repeatedly invited to attend the Senate inquiry into the proposed revocation of these highest conservation value forests from World Heritage listing the Forest Industries Association of Tasmania failed to appear, thereby evading putting a position on the public record.”
“The loggers have been eerily quiet for many months, rather than backing in the conservation side.”
“Now that it is clear beyond doubt that the Abbott government put the proposal forward so as to allow access for forestry, and not because of any legitimate concerns about the outstanding environmental values, it is vital that the forest industry support the recommendation that the proposal be withdrawn.”
“Failure by the forest industry to put pressure on the government makes it plain that they have reneged on support for conservation of these magnificent forests.”
“Such a reversal will not go down well with markets and consumers seeking environmentally responsible product. It would smear the reputation of all Tasmanian forest products from native forests.”
“FIAT has reacted belligerently in recent days to requests to step up and tell government they don’t want World Heritage delisted for logging, calling emailed expressions of concern ‘childish’ and a ‘nuisance’,” Ms Putt concluded.
Markets For Change CEO Peg Putt
