Ministerial Release
Submissions support Governments view that ban on timber imports counter-productive
9th April, 2007
Submissions support Government's view that ban on timber imports counter-productive
Submissions lodged by a wide range of interest groups and individuals on the Australian Government's policy discussion paper - ‘Bringing down the Axe on Illegal Logging - A Practical Approach' have supported the Government's view that a ban on timber imports in Australia would be counter-productive.
Australian Minister for Forestry and Conservation, Senator Abetz, today congratulated stakeholders from industry, non government organisations, environmental groups and concerned individuals on their submissions, which showed a good understanding of the complex issues surrounding the problem of illegal logging.
Stakeholders expressed general support for the Government's proposed measures to address illegal logging, particularly the focus on improving governance issues in south-east Asian countries.
"A comprehensive suite of measures and actions, both domestic and international, will be necessary to make inroads into illegal logging," Senator Abetz said.
"I am encouraged that of 31 submissions to our draft policy, including from environmental groups, not a single one supported a blanket ban on imports being put in place.
"By imposing a blanket ban we would literally be turning our back on this problem of truly globally significance, at the same time denying Australian consumers access to legally sourced products, and denying south east Asian exporters who trade in legal timber products a legitimate export business.
"That is why instead the Government prefers to work with our near neighbours and with timber importers to address this problem in a practical way.
"The Howard Government's $200 million Global Initiative on Forests and Climate Change, announced last week, is an example of our practical approach at work."
Further consultations with key stakeholders will take place before the policy is finalised around the middle of the year.