A call to action from the Gippsland Forest Guardians

THIS CAMPAIGN HAS NOW CLOSED

Make a submission to the FSC

After the Gippsland Forest Guardians’ successful challenge of HVPs plan to replant the Mountain ash in Fella’s Track Coupe in Turtons Creek with Pine Trees, the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) is consulting on a crucial interpretation of its standard—one that will shape how logged plantations are regenerated across Australia.

The outcome will determine whether native eucalyptus plantations can be replaced with exotic species like pine. Over 10,000 hectares in the Strzeleckis alone are at risk.

The interpretation is of Principle 10.1 of the standard that states that harvested areas shall be regenerated to ‘pre-harvest or more natural conditions’.

The interpretation question is:

Do 10.1.1 and 10.1.2 of the FSC National Forest Stewardship Standard of Australia allow a harvested plantation area composed of a native species to be replanted as a plantation with an exotic species?

The draft interpretation response is:

No. Indicators 10.1.1 and 10.1.2 of the FSC National Forest Stewardship Standard of Australia do not permit replanting a harvested native species plantation with an exotic species, such as Pinus radiata.

The draft interpretation supports our view: that native species plantations should be replaced with native species, not replaced with exotics. But industry voices will be loud—we need yours too.
(*Extract from the Standards provided below)

How to make a Submission

Click on the link to access the FSC portal.

Click ‘Register’ and complete your details, or if you are returning, enter your details and click ‘Log in’

You should now be on the page called ‘Draft Interpretation on FSC-STD-AUS001-2018’

Click ‘Participate Now’

For the question ‘Do you agree with this draft interpretation? Click ‘Yes’

Add your comments.

Click Submit

Thank you for your support!

Make a Submission

Click here to access the FSC Portal

Click here for key points to make in your submission

Click here for more help accessing the FSC portal

Submissions close 18 July.

[email protected]
if you have questions or would like to receive a copy of our draft submission.

Gippsland Forest Guardians urge you to consider making a submission in support of the draft interpretation.

View our submission

Extract from the FSC standard 2018

10.1
After harvest or in accordance with the Management Plan*, The Organisation*
shall*, by natural or artificial regeneration* methods, regenerate vegetation cover in a timely fashion to pre-harvesting or more natural conditions*.

10.1.1
Harvested sites are regenerated* in a timely manner* and using a method that:
1) Protects affected environmental values*;and
2) Is suitable to recover overall pre-harvest* or native forest* composition and structure.

10.1.2
Planned regeneration* or replanting activities are implemented in a timely manner* that:
1) For harvest of existing plantations*, re-establish plantation* or regenerate* to pre-harvest* or more natural conditions* using ecologically well-adapted species;
2) For harvest of native forests*, regenerate* to pre-harvest* or more natural conditions*; or
3) For harvest of degraded native forests*, regenerate to more natural conditions*.