The Deputy Premier, Bryan Green, said today he was delighted that Forestry Tasmania has been recertified for a further three years under the Australian Forestry Standard.

 

Mr Green said the recertification, after a comprehensive audit, was welcome news for Tasmania, domestic and international customers and for the Tasmanian Forest Intergovernmental Agreement (TFIA) process.

 

"Once again, we have an assurance that Forestry Tasmania strictly adheres to the most stringent standards in the world," Mr Green said.

 

"The recertification by accredited certifying body, NCS International, and endorsed by the world's largest forest certification organisation, PEFC International, is an important endorsement of Forestry Tasmania's forest management practices, particularly during a period of economic uncertainty.

 

"It clearly shows that Forestry Tasmania has upheld the principles of sustainable forest management during one of the most challenging periods in its history.

 

"I want to commend all the staff at Forestry Tasmania, who strive every day to meet the highest standards."

 

Mr Green also welcomed the finding that Forestry Tasmania had not been overharvesting.

 

He said an investigation, led by Professor Emeritus of Forest Science at the University of Melbourne, Professor Ian Ferguson AM, was requested by PEFC International following claims that Forestry Tasmania may have been operating at unsustainable levels.

 

Mr Green said the outcome of the investigation and subsequent re-certification were a strong endorsement of FT's forest management practices.

 

"The Government was always confident in Forestry Tasmania's commitment to upholding the principles of sustainable forest management," he said.

 

"In my view, comments made by the Independent Verification Group Chair Professor West, had been misunderstood. Professor West had not included plantations in his assessment of sustainable yield, because he and the Independent Verification Group had only been asked to look at native forests to inform the TFIA process.

 

"The entire forest estate, including native forest and plantations needed to be taken into account in assessing sustainable yield.

 

"Re-certification is only granted following a stringent and exhaustive review by an independent certifying body."

 

The results have now been published and are available at: http://pefc.org/index.php/news-a-media/general-sfm-news/news-detail/item/975-pefc-publishes-findings-of-complaint-concerning-claim-of-%E2%80%98unsustainable-harvesting%E2%80%99