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)