Towards a solution

Forestry Tasmania will intensify its search for alternatives to fumigation at Burnie port following a constructive two and a half hour meeting with the city council last night.

 Forestry Tasmania’s General Manager Operations Paul Smith said the meeting provided the opportunity for FT to better understand the council’s concerns.

“In summary, we were reassured by the council’s support for Forestry Tasmania, forest contractors and TasPorts, but also understood concern that the fumigation issue could damage efforts to change perceptions about Burnie and its industrial past.

“There was general agreement that much of the community concern was based on perception rather than fact, but nevertheless those concerns could damage Burnie’s brand.”

Mr Smith said Forestry Tasmania and TasPorts had been examining a range of alternatives before the meeting and would continue to do so with a better understanding of council’s position.

“The options we have examined so far include:

• Debarking the pine logs. It is not possible to remove all bark and fumigation would still be required.
• Contracting an interstate firm to recover the fumigants from the ship’s hold. Unfortunately, it would take months to get the infrastructure in place.
• Conducting the fumigation in China. Regulations require the fumigation to occur before shipments leave Australian ports with a phytosanitary certificate in place.
• Cancelling the shipment. This would breach contractual obligations and damage trade relations with China and our Chinese customers. The ship is already en route."

Mr Smith said there are a couple of other options that FT is exploring with TasPorts, including the possibility of fumigating the ship offshore.

“Unfortunately, there does not appear to be an easy win-win solution here. The fumigation at sea option involves some risk that would be better managed onshore, but we will continue discussions with TasPorts about whether it is a viable, safe option.

“While we don’t want to raise false hope, residents can be assured that we have listened and we are actively searching for a solution.”

ENDS
30 June 2010

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