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The latest protest by forest activists groups should be seen for what it is - an attempt to exert external pressure to influence the outcomes of the Tasmanian Forest Intergovernmental Agreement.
General Manager Operations Steve Whiteley said activists had established a tree sit in one of the 13 coupes identified by Forestry Tasmania as being required to maintain supplies to the timber processing sector.
"Under Intergovernmental Agreement process, FT was asked to identify which coupes would be needed to meet its contractual obligations, and Tyenna 44B was one of those.
"The scheduling work done by FT has twice been independently verified by scheduling experts appointed by the governments."
Mr Whiteley said environmental groups participating in the process have known since at least August that this coupe was scheduled for harvesting.
"It is worth remembering that the area required by industry is less than half of one percent of the area environmental groups claim is high conservation value."
Mr Whiteley said the tree sit established today is part of a well coordinated and orchestrated campaign to denigrate Forestry Tasmania.
"However, we will continue to put information into the process based on sound rigorous analysis. It wont please all of the people all of the time, but at least it will provide a firm foundation for an agreement.
"The tree sit is pointless and frustrating. Contractors working in the area are about to pack up for the normal Christmas shut down, and are not expected back until well into the New Year."
ENDS
14 December 2011
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