Ta Ann defends work after arrest of logging protesters

A TASMANIAN timber processing plant has defended its operations after police arrested four protesters who had attached themselves to machinery and other equipment.

Police responded to the arrival of about 20 Bob Brown Foundation protesters at the Ta Ann Tasmania veneer mill in Smithton shortly before 9am yesterday.

Senior Sergeant Tony Stewart said the majority of protesters complied with police directions to move on, but four people who refused to leave were arrested for trespass after search and rescue personnel were called in to remove them.

“Tasmania Police appreciates that people have the democratic right to protest, however this sort of action diverts key resources away from other areas,” he said.

Bob Brown Foundation campaign manager Jenny Weber said the protest was launched to “make Ta Ann accountable for their destruction of environment and climate”.

“This mill is where logged forests of takayna/Tarkine end up,” she said. Ta Ann Tasmania general manager Robert Yong said the company would only process logs from the agreed Permanent Timber Production Land as specified in supply contracts with Sustainable Timber Tasmania. “We acknowledge the right of people to protest peacefully provided they do so safely and respectfully and do not interfere with the legitimate operations of a business,” Mr Yong said.

Mr Yong said the protest had caused minimal disruption as yesterday was a maintenance day at the Smithton plant.