Bridget Archer

AUSTRALIA– A coalition of conservationists, artists and forest industry figures has called for an end to old-growth logging in Tasmania but major environmental groups have distanced themselves from the “shared vision statement”, saying it does not go far enough. …The Forest Congress released a push to end the harvesting of old-growth trees while supporting a “responsible” forestry industry. “We agree that forests should be managed for all their values — ecological, cultural, social and economic — with the forest health as the foundation,” the statement says. …Sawmilling business Neville Smith Group is one of the signatories. …Four national environmental groups said the Forest Congress’s focus on old-growth forests was inadequate. …Tasmanian minister Bridget Archer said trees from old-growth forests made up only a small portion of what was harvested. She said the government remained a strong supporter of the forestry industry, and welcomed the process behind the Forest Congress initiative.

Related coverage in Pulse Tasmania: Rival groups back shared vision for Tasmania’s forests as old-growth logging targeted