By Lisa Searle
Grassroots environmental group Groundswell yesterday shut down operations at
Ta Ann’s veneer mill in Smithton, with a peaceful protest. The group are
highlighting the ongoing loss of Tasmania’s forests by Ta Ann, 2 protesters
are locked onto a conveyor belt inside the mill, completely shutting down
operations. A number of other members of the group are present and holding a
banner in front of the mill, which reads; “TA ANN – SELLING TASMANIAN
FOREST DESTRUCTION”.
Ta Ann is a Malaysian-based timber company that has been accused of human
rights violations and continues to destroy pristine rainforest in the
Malaysian state of Sarawak. Ta Ann has had logging contracts in Tasmania from
2006 and is the driving force behind the ongoing logging of old growth
forests.
“Today’s protest is being held at the Ta Ann Smithton mill to oppose the
ongoing devastation of Tasmania’s native forests just for the sake of a
quick profit.” Groundswell spokesperson Dr Lisa Searle said.
“As the forest peace talks have carried on over the last 3 years, the
destruction of Tasmania’s native forests has continued. The talks have so
far failed to deliver any form of permanent protection and the future of
these ecosystems hangs in the balance. .” Dr Searle continued.
“There is currently a very limited market for Tasmanian woodchips, and Ta
Ann is driving the continuing destruction of huge tracts of forest. These
forests are being clear-felled just to remove a few select logs for Ta Ann
while low-grade sawlogs and woodchip-grade logs are being left behind to rot
in these decimated areas.” Said Dr Searle.
The protesters will stay in place locked onto machinery until they are
removed and Groundswell will continue standing up for the protection of our
wild natural state.
For further information, contact Groundswell spokesperson, Dr Lisa Searle
Phone: 0408 862 866
Email : GroundswellTasmania@gmail.com
High Resolution footage and stills available on request.