Increasing reports of imported timber products that could potentially mislead consumers into thinking they're from sustainable Australian sources, along with recent revelations that up to a quarter of products failed Federal Government inspection - shows the need for stronger protections to inform buyers of where their wood is from, including 'country of origin' labelling, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Diana Hallam said today.
"When consumers go into their local hardware store or builders source timber products from wholesalers, they need clear information about what they're buying, and whether it's from a sustainable Australian source, or not," Diana Hallam said.
"We are receiving numerous reports of imported timber and engineered wood products that have been named, presented or marketed in very similar ways to long-standing, leading domestically manufactured products existing in the local Australian market, creating consumer confusion.
"This added to the recent results of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's (DAFF) timber testing trial which found around a quarter of imported products tested had an inconsistency with the declared species, the origin, or both - is alarming.
"Earlier this year the Albanese Government sought to strengthen Australian illegal logging laws that AFPA backed in. Given the recent ramped up reports of dubious products and the result of the DAFF trial, AFPA's support for the enhanced legislation has been vindicated and we congratulate the Government on its efforts with this issue.
"However, these developments also strengthen AFPA's argument for timber and wood fibre 'country of origin' labelling reforms, similar to our food product labelling regime, that would inform consumers about the origin of the products they're purchasing.
"The ban on harvesting of Australian native timbers in Victoria and Western Australia has added to the problem with many local furniture and flooring manufacturers now forced to source timbers from overseas forests that aren't bound by Australia's sustainability standards, to continue their businesses. Ensuring these products are clearly labelled has now become urgent.
"When consumers are informed, they make informed choices and it makes sense for timber and wood fibre products to be properly labelled. I look forward to working with the Federal Government on improving consumer information for timber and fibre, and fighting against products that, either intentionally or not, purport to be something they're not," Diana Hallam concluded.
