Today's Federal Greens announcement that they'll push to 'stamp out misleading and ambiguous environmental claims' is being hailed by the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) as activists continue to spread lies about our sustainable forest industries, Chief Executive Officer of AFPA, Diana Hallam said today.
"While we disagree with a number of aspects of the minor party's Green Australia policy, including its outdated and longstanding plans to cease sustainable native forest harvesting, the announcement that the Greens want to crack-down on misleading and ambiguous environmental claims - is very much welcomed and refreshing," Diana Hallam said.
"Radical activists consistently create and promote disinformation about Australia's forest industries and particularly the sustainable native forest harvesting segment of the sector - and we'd welcome action on that."
Common disinformation pedalled about our sustainable forest industries includes:
- That native forestry is 'deforestation'. This is completely untrue. The United Nations and the Australian Government defines deforestation as permanent land use change. Every tree in our native forests harvested for timber and wood-fibre in Australia is regenerated and regrown for the future.
- That native forestry is a key reason for the extinction of native flora and fauna. Again, completely untrue. The Federal Government has listed forestry as having the least impact of 11 categories on forest dwelling flora and fauna.
- That plantations can replace native forestry. Not true. Native forestry is essential for flooring, decking, power poles and other appearance grade products. Without it, we'd have to rely more on imports and carbon intense non-renewable substitutes. Australia's plantations are predominantly softwood, geared towards producing construction timber. Our smaller amount of hardwood plantations are predominantly for the pulp market.
- That Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) are a 'loophole' to national environmental laws. Again, not true. An RFA is an alternative mechanism to achieve the objectives of the EPBC Act through a federal-state intergovernmental agreement and the creation of millions of hectares of national parks. They are not a bypass of the EPBC Act and this has been confirmed by the Federal Court of Australia.
"There are many more examples about the myths and disinformation surrounding Australia's sustainable forest industries which is a primary reason that as part of AFPA's election campaign, we've launched forestfacts.com.au - a new website dedicated at countering exactly what the Greens want to address," Diana Hallam said.
"I look forward to working with the Greens on cracking down on activists pedalling 'misleading' and 'ambiguous' environmental claims and call on the other parties to support the initiative," Diana Hallam concluded.
