Wilderness Society Statement.
It's been a long time coming! For decades, environmentalists have been trying to protect Tasmania's stunning, ancient forests from destruction. And timber workers have been trying to protect their jobs. This unresolved dispute has led to protests, arrests and, sadly, ongoing logging in our high conservation-value native forests.
But with the Tasmanian timber industry in collapse, after five months of good-faith discussions, a way forward is here. The Statement of Principles agreed between conservation groups, timber communities, forest unions and the industry gives Tasmania a unique opportunity to create a sustainable timber industry, protect its remaining native forests and resolve the conflict over logging.
The benefits for the whole of Tasmania are huge, including:
* a moratorium to end logging in the most precious forests within three months
* world class forests like the Tarkine Rainforest, Great Western Tiers, Styx, Blue Tier and the Upper Florentine Valley will be formally protected
* detailed planning and consultation for the timber industry to transition out of native forests will occur over the next 12 months – protecting and developing timber jobs that are sustainable
* Tasmania’s image as a clean, green state will be preserved, in a major boost for tourism
This Statement of Principles is essential to Tasmania's future. People's jobs depend on it, Tasmania's economy requires it, and native species desperately need it too.
Thanks to the good faith of all the groups involved in the talks - and the tireless enthusiasm of Wilderness Society supporters - the protection of Tasmania’s native forests is now possible.
You can see the statement signed by the Wilderness Society, here