Whole Log Exports from Plantations Skyrocket

[Oquist, Ben (Sen B. Brown)]

24 November 1999 


Whole Log Exports from Plantations Skyrocket


New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, released by Greens
Senator Bob Brown in the Senate today, reveal that whole log exports from
plantations leapt by 90% last year to a new high of 630 000 m3.

Native forest saw-logging Australia-wide could be reduced by 20% instantly,
if these logs were processed in Australia, according to Senator Brown.

"If the logs were sent to Tasmania instead of overseas, we could stop
logging native forests immediately.

"As the debate over the Regional Forest Agreement Bill winds to a stalemate,
these new figures confirm what a farce and monumental waste of public money
the whole process has been.

"Plantation wood was not even included in the RFA options for Tasmania,
Victoria or Western Australia.  The result is ongoing and escalating
conflict about the wanton and unneeded destruction of native forests.

"In Queensland, where the plantations were brought to account, a negotiated
settlement was reached.  

"Plantations, largely planted with public money in the 1960s and 1970s, are
coming onstream now.  There is more than enough wood to meet Australia's
needs if it is processed here.

"The government and the opposition should face the facts, abandon the
discredited RFA process and start again with the realistic twin goals of
developing a world competitive wood products industry, using the existing
plantation estate, and protecting the world's most majestic native forests
for all time", said Senator Brown.

More information
Ben Oquist.  02 6277 3170,  0419 704 095

Available.  Graph of exports of softwood plantation saw and veneer logs from
Tasmania and Australia.

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Ben Oquist
Greens Senator Bob Brown
Parliament House, Canberra 2600
Australia
+61 2 62773170 ph
+61 2 62773185 fx
www.greens.org.au/bobbrown
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