Greens call for truth in forestry debate
On the 65th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, The Greens have called on the Federal Government, the woodchipping industry and all other stakeholders to have a truthful debate on woodchipping and biomass burning to avoid ongoing forest conflict into the future.
“Despite how some may talk it up, everyone in the native forest woodchipping industry knows that life is not good at moment,” said Catherine Moore, Greens candidate for Eden-Monaro.
“The forest industry is in a very difficult position. Why? Because there is a very big plantation resource coming on stream to feed the hardwood chip market.
“The Japanese market is flat and will remain flat, because it it is not willing to take native forest woodchips. It is only interested in chips from plantations.
“As a result, Nippon is proposing to burn native forest wood for power production. This is a symptom of the problem – no market for the chips. And if burning chips is the only solution, forest conflict is only set to escalate.
“The spin we are hearing from both the ALP Member for Eden-Monaro and the Liberal candidate that it will only be waste that will be used for power generation is just ludicrous.
“We have been through the experience of waste definition before. In the beginning the Eden Chipmill was set up to use waste, but it didn’t take long before it was whole logs.
“Now it is 95% logs. Anyone who uses the waste argument is missing the point. The ALP says that they can guarantee that no logs will be used for biomass burning, but there is no legislation. You could drive a truck through the regulations about waste.
“We have a choice. We can put our head in the sands or we can face it together – industry, the Federal Government, the Victorian and NSW State Governments, and Bega Valley Shire Council.
“The Greens believe we must, as a matter of urgency, work constructively together to solve this crisis. The Federal Government must play a strong role in providing support for retraining and re-employment, in the transition to a sustainable industry that is based on plantations.
“The time for ending the conflict in the forests and moving towards a truly sustainable future for the region is now,” concluded Catherine.
for more information call Catherine Moore on 0411 288 057
