Environment Groups Join Overseas Promotion of Forestry Industry

About 100 Japanese timber and paper industry representatives and customers have attended a forum in Tokyo to hear about progress in implementing the Tasmanian Forest Agreement.

In a historic first, the Wilderness Society and Environment Tasmania joined Forestry Tasmania, Ta Ann Tasmania and Neville Smith Timbers to promote the forest industry, which is now on the pathway to gaining Forest Stewardship Council certification.

The Premier, Lara Giddings, said there was overwhelming support for the agreement amongst attendees, particularly in relation to obtaining FSC and PEFC certification.
“The unprecedented interest in this event demonstrates the importance of the TFA in our key international markets,” Ms Giddings said.

“Among those attending today were companies that reduced orders or stopped buying our products in recent times because they did not meet the expectations of their customers nor were they competitive.

“The TFA gives us the opportunity, not only to regain those markets, but to get the industry back on a pathway of growth.

“For the first time in the history of Tasmanian forestry we have been able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the environmental movement to send a powerful message to Japanese buyers that our industry is sustainable,” she said.

Ms Giddings said it would be a disaster if the new Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, tried to dismantle the agreement.

“Some Japanese customers expressed concern about the threat of a Liberal Government to the new found stability in the Tasmanian forest industry,” Ms Giddings said.

“Interference from the Federal Liberal Government would undo all the effort and goodwill that has gone into forging the TFA.

“It would plummet Tasmania back into conflict, and guarantee that Japanese customers will abandon our products – potentially for good.

“Tony Abbott should heed the pleas of the industry and its customers to allow the TFA in its entirety to prove itself.

“The interest in today’s meeting is a strong sign that the agreement is achieving results,” she said.

Lara Giddings, Premier