Federal Minister for Sustainability and Environment Tony Burke has slammed the ‘irresponsible campaigns against Tasmania’s overseas timber market’, saying their efforts are sabotaging local jobs and undermining environmental efforts.

 

Mr Burke’s condemnation of environmental campaigners comes Ta Ann Tasmania announced that its sales to Japan had fallen by 50 per cent as a result of persistent protest activities by environmental groups.

 

As a result, Ta Ann Tasmania has announced that it has been forced to shed a shift (up to a total of 40 jobs) from its Huon and Smithton mills. This will also mean a temporary reduction of about a third in the volume of wood it sources from Forestry Tasmania.

 

The minister has urged patience as the Federal and Tasmanian governments implement the Intergovernmental Agreement in response to ‘rapid change and major problems in the industry’ which has led to the loss of thousands of jobs over the recent years.

 

Independent verification is underway to assess the wood supply and conservation values in the forest areas affected, timber supply requirements for industry might be combined with protection of iconic forest areas.  This independent process, led by experts, was agreed by groups involved in the agreement.

 

“Forest activists must respect the independent process underway to assess areas of nominated high conservation value and its compatibility with wood supply. The conservation opportunities in Tasmania only exist because of co-operation that has occurred so far. Using misinformation to attack existing industry players is not acceptable,” Mr Burke said in a statement.