Today two conservationists have attached themselves to machinery inside the woodchip mill at Eden, in New South Wales. This is the second protest at the mill in the past week, calling for an end to Nippon Paper's ongoing role in the destruction of Australia's native forests.
“Last week conservationists halted logging at Stony Creek, East Gippsland, in a stand of old growth forest that is home to the endangered long footed potoroo. We are following the chain of destruction from the forest floor to the mill, where Australia's irreplaceable forests are being chipped and shipped offshore” said Miranda Gibson spokesperson for Still Wild Still Threatened.
“Nippon Paper are an international company exploiting the destruction of Australia's native forests and pushing our unique wildlife towards extinction. It is the tax payers who are made to foot the bill and prop up this unsustainable industry. Every state logging agency is a drain on the public purse to the tune of millions of dollars a year. Why should the Australian public pay for our forests to be lost?” said Harriet Swift spokesperson for South East Regional Conservation Alliance.
“Four people are today risking arrest, climbing the woodchip conveyor belt and chaining themselves to machinery in order to send a clear message to Nippon Paper. It is unacceptable that this company continues to take wood from Australian native forests, including threatened species habitat. This follows on from actions last week, which saw three people arrested while halting logging operations in East Gippsland, Victoria.” said David Caldwell spokesperson for Goongerah Environment Centre.
“This action is part of Fearless Summer, a national collaboration of grassroots environment groups committed to defending Australia's native forests.” he said.
