Australia Proposes International Woodmark
11/23/99
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Title: Australia Proposes International Woodmark
Source: Environment News Service (ENS)
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: November 23, 1999
Australian Forest Minister Wilson Tuckey is proposing an
international standard that governments, industry, and non-
governmental organizations alike could agree upon -- an international
woodmark that would be applied to sustainably-managed forests.
A plethora of standards and certification schemes are now being
developed or implemented in a number of countries such as Finland,
the United Kingdom, Canada, and Malaysia. European forest owners are
working together to develop a framework for certification of forestry
standards developed with European Union member states. The World
Wildlife Fund and other non-governmental organizations sponsor
sustainable forestry certification through the Forest Stewardship
Council.
These various standards, said Tuckey, could confuse consumers and
diminish the confidence that producers need.
"I have therefore initiated a process internationally proposing that
governments get together, on a voluntary basis, to see if we can
establish a set of minimum requirements as a basis for accreditation
of national certification schemes together with an international
identifier, a 'woodmark' if you like," Tuckey said.
To pursue this cooperative international accreditation, Australia
will hold a meeting with 20 interested countries next week in New
York.
On a national level, Australian federal and state forestry ministers
are developing an Australian Forestry Standard that will allow its
forest management and products to be independently audited and
certified to an agreed standard of sustainable management.
Stakeholders will contribute to the development of the standard,
which is expected to be consistent with Regional Forest Agreements.
These agreements, negotiated between state governments and the
Commonwealth, set aside some lands for conservation and reserves
other lands for timber harvesting.
"Retailers should reassure consumers that our products are
environmentally friendly and produced under management regimes that
have been recognized as being among the best in the world," said
Minister for Forestry and Conservation Wilson Tuckey. "Industry
should be more active in promoting and marketing what it is we have
and how we have produced it."
Any independent, scientifically-based assessment of Australian forest
management practices would enhance the reputation of Australian
timber as a renewable and environmentally-sound product, Tuckey said.