Forest president blames vermin for threat issues

Debate over environmental effects of logging old growth forests continues with the Institute of Foresters of Australia claiming there are no forest operations in Australia identified as the cause of any extinctions of flora and fauna.

IFA president Bob Gordon laid the blame on feral animals such as cats and foxes.

But environmental groups including Environmental Justice Australia do not buy that argument citing a decision by the Federal Court in May that logging of 67 forest coupes in the Central Highlands of Victoria breached environmental laws and would threaten vulnerable and endangered Leadbetter’s possum and greater glider species.

The decision on the case brought on behalf of the Friends of Leadbeater’s Possum is being appealed by VicForests.

IFA that represents about 1000 forest scientists, researchers and forest land managers said as well as the impact of feral animals native flora and fauna threats were from invasive species and weeds, unsuitable fire regimes, disease and pathogens, land use change, and hunting and collection of eggs and plants.

Mr Gordon said sustainable forestry should not be confused with land clearing for urban development and agriculture.

They are very different activities, he said. Mr Gordon said it was important to highlight management by the forestry sector under Australian Regional Forest Agreements developed 20 years ago to conserve forest biodiversity and provide sustainable and ethical timber supplies.

The sector has worked hard to achieve sustainable forest management and no logging operations have been identified as the reason for the extinction of any flora or fauna.

Senior lawyer for Environmental Justice Danya Jacobs said the Federal Court decision in May sent a strong message to governments and the forestry industry that they will be publicly held to account if they flout the law at the expense of threatened wildlife.

She claimed Australia has the highest rate of mammal extinction in the world.

Billions of animals were lost to catastrophic bushfires in eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales earlier this year, Ms Jacobs said.

The Victorian government plans to phase out logging of native forests by 2030.