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Concern over continued access to special timbers was renewed this morning following protest action at Picton coupe 24B.
General Manager Operations Steve Whiteley said claims by the Huon Valley Environment Centre that the coupe should not be harvested because the coupe reportedly contains celery-top pine were worrying.
"Craftsmen in Tasmania are already concerned about the outcomes of the TFIGA and what it will mean for the ongoing supply of specialty timbers.
"For the HVEC to now be saying that no special timbers should be harvested is certainly going to make those who utilise species such as celery-top pine very nervous.
"This coupe is part of the 1,900 hectares that FT has been given approval to harvest within the 430,000 hectares nominated by environmental groups for reservation.
"If, as they claim, a celery-top pine is located in the coupe it will be utilised by local craftsmen in any number of high value products.
"The HVEC continually makes the mistake of claiming that coupes are only harvested for Ta Ann. The fact is most coupes including this one supply a range of product including sawlogs, specialty timbers, peelers and pulpwood."
Mr Whiteley said it was another example of the HVEC acting outside of the process.
"Their relentless actions are affecting contractors, affecting international markets, and affecting local business and quite frankly, we are tired of it.
"Forest contractors lose up to $10,000 a day when their work is disrupted by protests."
ENDS
6 Feb 2012
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