Timber Queensland CEO welcomes Australia's illegal logging legislation, says industry is looking forward to development of workable arrangements for implementation

Wendy Lisney

FORTITUDE VALLEY, Queensland , November 22, 2012 (press release) – Peak industry body Timber Queensland welcomes the illegal logging legislation passed by the Senate on 19 November as a significant step in addressing illegal imports.

Rod McInnes CEO, Timber Queensland said ending the import of illegal timber which has caused environmental destruction in its source country has local and international benefits.

“Not only does illegal logging cause untold ecological damage it unfairly competes with legal product from both domestic and overseas sources,” said Rod McInnes.

“Timber Queensland encourages industry and consumers to embrace already established methods available to ascertain if timber is sourced legally,” he said.

“Certification from a credible organisation such as the Australian Forestry Standard or Forest Stewardship Council provides a clear opportunity to demonstrate both the legality and sustainability of timber.”

Timber Queensland recognises that much of the detail regarding the new legislation will be contained in regulations which will take time to be implemented.

“Timber Queensland fully supports this new legislation and we are looking forward to the development of workable implementation arrangements that will stop importation of illegally logged timber but not impose undue compliance burden on the timber industry,” he said.

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