FSC Australia has opened a consultation process on the interpretation of Principle 5.6 in an Australian context.  This consultation is being opened as part of the further development of an Australian FSC Forest Management Standard.  Principle 5.6 of the FSC Principles and Criteria for Responsible Forest Management relates to the sustainable harvesting of forests.  It says:  "The rate of harvest of forest products shall not exceed levels which can be permanently sustained."  This criterion requires that the production systems and harvesting practices do not prejudice the productive capacity of the site or impair species survival.   FSC Australia is interested in stakeholder perspectives regarding regrowth periods and harvesting rotation lengths for various types of stands that are representative of Australian forests.  A discussion document has been posted to the FSC Australia web site.  The submission period of 60 days has been set from June 7th 2010 to August 7th 2010.  Comments will be incorporated into a draft of the FSC Australian Forest Management Standard.  At the first workshop on developing a national standard for Australia, a number of priority areas were identified for further work by FSC Australia.  The results of this work on sustainable yield along with work on high conservation values will be incorporated into the existing consultant's draft standard and released following consideration by a working group to be established in the second half of this year.  Please send comments or requests for further information to Pina Gervassi  

FSC has featured prominently in discussion about the future for forestry in Tasmania over recent weeks.  The genesis of this, from an FSC perspective, dates from a review of the FSC Chain of Custody standard in 2007.  The changes introduced then tightened requirements for verification of non-FSC certified controlled wood.  Two FSC accredited certification bodies in Japan received corrective action requests (CARs) from FSC accreditation body ASI for not enforcing the tighter requirements.  As a result, the major Japanese paper companies received CARs in 2008.  MPM was the first Japanese company to change its verification process.  Taking a precautionary approach to protection of High Conservation Values (HCVs), it reached an agreement with its supplier Gunns to exclude woodchip from areas nominated by environment groups as potentially containing HCVs.  In 2009, the FSC Australia Controlled Wood Risk Assessment Matrix was approved.  It said that all areas from which Controlled Wood could be sourced in Australia had an 'unspecified risk' that forest management activities could endanger HCVs.  As a result, any company wanting to buy non-FSC certified wood to mix in an FSC labelled product, needs to consult stakeholders on potential threats to HCVs.  The Global Financial Crisis in 2009 reduced overall world demand for woodchips and created stronger advantages for FSC certified suppliers as Japanese paper makers sought to boost sales in Europe and North America to offset the decline in the Japanese market.  This year, four Japanese paper companies returned to Tasmania to see if they could obtain woodchips that were compliant with FSC Controlled Wood requirements.  They adopted a similar approach to the one Gunns had agreed with MPM.  As a result, their Controlled Wood verification program was accepted by their certification body in Japan.  In the meantime, Gunns has embarked on a process aimed at achieving FSC certification for its operations through a series of internal changes and engagement of an FSC accredited certification body.  Many statements have been made over the past few weeks regarding FSC status of production from Tasmania.  At this point in time, no area of forest or plantation in Tasmania has been certified as complying with FSC forest management standards.  

 

With the end of the financial year approaching, there may be some budgets with unspent cash.  FSC Australia offers a great way to invest in the future of Australia's forests and forest communities.  Donations can be made to support the mission of FSC or for donors interested in nominating a specific FSC project then we would be happy to outline the proposed work program for the balance of 2010 to which your funds could contribute. FSC Australia does not receive any support from government and relies totally on membership subscriptions, donations and funds earned from events, education and training activities.  So, small contributions can make a big difference to our capacity.  Contact FSC Australia honorary CEO Michael Spencer to discuss the best way to make your contribution.   

 
Democratic member of the US House of Representatives for the timber state of Oregon, Earl Blumenauer, says Australia is part of a global supply chain and positioned strategically on the edge of a vast area where some of the most destructive logging practices have been taking place.   "It would have a great deal of impact if Australia would step up its efforts to prevent illegal logging from entering your chain of commerce," Mr Blumenauer said.
 
Source: ABC News