Australia: Senator Brown brings peace talks to forest war
Senator Bob Brown is calling for a peaceful moratorium between
protesters and Forestry Tasmania contractors in the Upper Florentine
Valley. Speaking yesterday, Senator Brown said that the moratorium was
necessary to allow the “mature discussions” requested by Forestry
Tasmania on the issue. The call came as police arrested another two
protesters yesterday afternoon, after three days of action by
environmental activists opposing logging operations in the region.
“Both sides will need to call a halt,” Senator Brown said.
“I would
ensure that the consequent discussions encompassed all the good
options, including, if necessary, an independent look at the options
to logging the Upper Florentine right now.” Mr Brown said that his
first approach to activists indicated they would withdraw if Forestry
Tasmania did the same. Meanwhile, Forestry Tasmania has resumed
operations in the area. “Our staff and contractors are currently
cleaning up the site of Camp Florentine and are undertaking roadworks
repair and construction,” Derwent District forest manager Steve
Whiteley said yesterday. “The timber is being harvested to meet market
conditions – all harvested areas will be regrown as native forest.” Mr
Whiteley said that the industry employed 6000 people and market
research had demonstrated how important the industry was to the
State’s economy. But the Wilderness Society said yesterday that
Tasmanian taxpayers were funding uneconomic logging techniques –
including “modified clearfelling” planned for the Upper Florentine.
“The public must remember that not only are they losing a World
Heritage forest asset to the woodchip industry, but they are also
paying for the privilege,” Society spokesman Vica Bayley said.
http://www.examiner.com.au/news/local/news/crime-law-justice/brown-wants-peace-talks-upper-florentine-valley-moratorium-proposed/1408598.aspx
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