Today is International Day of Forests and Bob Brown Foundation forest defenders dressed as Swift Parrots gathered outside the offices of Forestry Tasmania to oppose ongoing native forest logging. Forestry Tasmania continues to log native forests, home to many endangered species, despite warnings from experts about ongoing habitat loss.
Dr Colette Harmsen, wildlife defender and forest activist, stated “the continued logging of native forests and endangered species habitat is deeply disturbing during the climate emergency. I condemn the ongoing logging of native forests by the Tasmanian government and Forestry Tasmania.”
Opposition to logging has ramped up recently in areas where native forest logging continues. Current legislation under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) fails to protect endangered species in forestry gazetted land, and the Forestry Practices Authority (FPA) prescriptions do not stop the destruction of endangered species habitat.
“Protests will continue as long as the government facilitates native forest logging as species head for extinction,” said Dr Harmsen. “It’s about protecting endangered species from logging threats, disruption and ongoing persecution by the Tasmanian government and forestry Tasmania.” she said.
The Bob Brown Foundation has written to forestry, the FPA, the state and federal governments, but has yet to have received a reply to their concerns
