… and community/market place conflict
Objective analysis of the Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) demonstrates it has been a spectacular failure, raising questions over the value of its extension today for a further 20 years, the Wilderness Society says.
The RFA has enshrined an exemption of logging from federal environment laws and failed on its stated objectives to give security to industry, deliver sustainable forestry and a secure reserve system. Industry has collapsed, FSC certification is still unachievable and the Hodgman Government is proposing to log inside the Tasmanian Reserve Estate.
‘The last 20 years under an RFA have been a spectacular failure with industry collapse, massive taxpayer subsidy, environmental damage and community and market conflict. Not addressing these issues and simply signing a new RFA would demonstrate that Governments are living in a parallel universe to the rest of the community,’ said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for the Wilderness Society.
‘Enshrined in the last RFA was the protection of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative (CAR) Reserve Network, but the Hodgman Government is now proposing to log oldgrowth and rainforests within many hundreds of thousands of hectares of this reserve network.’
One of the most problematic features of the previous RFA was the exemption of the logging industry from federal environment laws. If this exemption is maintained, it will mean the Federal Government is unable to intervene even when logging is threatening the survival of species like the swift parrot and giant freshwater lobster.
‘The previous RFA’s exemption from federal environment laws was a disgrace and a disaster,’ said Mr Bayley.
‘If this new RFA maintains this exemption, its represents an abrogation of responsibility on the part of the Federal Government and will undermine the implementation of species’ recovery plans, like the one released yesterday for the Giant Freshwater Lobster.
‘Biodiversity, water and other environmental indicators continue to decline and logging is a significant contributor to this. State Governments have proven they cannot or will not address these issues and the RFA exemption from federal environment laws is a key reason why.
‘Instead of fantasy agreements like the RFA, founded on the flawed belief that all is fine in with the logging industry, its markets and environmental performance, Australia needs new environment laws that allow the Federal Government to act to protect species and other critical issues.
Vica Bayley, Tasmanian Campaign Manager, The Wilderness Society (Tasmania) Inc
