Tasmanian Forest Industries Assn. pulls out of peace deal process in reaction to anti-industry environmental campaigns; supportive lawmakers threaten to block Intergovernmental Agreement

Audrey Dixon

LOS ANGELES , February 13, 2012 (Industry Intelligence) –

Tasmania’s Forest Industries Association on Monday withdrew support for the government-supported forest peace pact, saying environmental activists are destroying the industry’s international markets and domestic jobs, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. (ABC) reported Feb. 14.

Ta Ann Tasmania Pty. Ltd. recently blamed environmentalists for cutting its sales in Japan in half and the company’s layoff of 40 employees, ABC reported.

Others joining the move against the green groups’ international activism include 12 members of the state’s Senate. They said they will block the Australian-Tasmanian Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) deal unless activists stop the campaigns, reported ABC.

The groups should make a decision, said the Association’s Terry Edwards, as to whether they are participating in a peace process or will continue “their guerilla warfare.”

Tasmanian Greens MP Nick McKim said he and his party are not involved with environmentalists in the international campaigns. However, cabinet member McKim added those groups have a right to tell their story abroad, ABC reported.

Although the environmentalists are not helping the forest peace deal, the IGA is still alive, said Simon Crean, Federal Minister for Regional Development.

The primary source of this article is the Australian Broadcasting Corp., Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 14, 2012.
 

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.