Keep Native Plantations Native - call for submissions

The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) has opened consultation on an ‘interpretation’ of a section of the FSC Standard relating to the regeneration of harvested logging areas.

Why this matters:

The decision will impact the compliance requirements of all FSC certified timber companies (such as HVP) across Australia and the potential future biodiversity health of all FSC certified plantations, and their neighbouring ecosystems across Australia.
In the Strzeleckis, it will impact more than 10,000 hectares of Eucalyptus that are currently at risk of being turned into Pines.

This draft interpretation response is consistent with our reading of the FSC Standard and needs our support.

We expect numerous submissions will be put forward from industry that advocate for the complete opposite interpretation. We are therefore really grateful you are considering making a submission.

contact

What is going on?

The FSC is seeking submissions on a draft interpretation of Clause 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 Performance and Standards Unit at the FSC will make the final decision on what interpretation they agree with.

Why is it happening now? What’s the connection to GFG?

This is happening because we challenged HVPs plan to replant the Mountain ash in Fella’s Track Coupe in Turtons Creek with Pine Trees.
We claimed that under the FSC Standard, the site should be returned to its ‘pre-harvest’ condition, in other words, Mountain ash and Bluegum, and not planted with pine trees.
An independent FSC investigation of Fellas coupe agreed with our claim and found that HVP’s intention to replant with pines does not conform to this standard.

Next steps:

We are preparing key points and guidance for organisations wishing to make a submission and will share with you in the coming week. The closing date for submissions is the 18th of July, expect to hear from us in the next week or so.

Thanks for reading - should you wish to have a chat about it please give any of us a call.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Audit 2024/25

🌿 Concerns Raised Over Forestry Practices in the Strzelecki Ranges

An environmental audit of Hancock Victoria Plantations (HVP) forestry operations on Crown land in the Strzelecki Ranges by auditors for the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) has uncovered multiple failures to meet the standards. Among the findings was HVP’s plans to replace native species with invasive pines is not consistent with Principle 10 of the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) Standard, which requires regeneration to pre-harvest or more natural conditions. It is clear to us, and auditors agree that pines are not consistent with this important principle.

We believe there has been an appeal and that operations at Fellas coupe have been halted under the Precautionary Principle until these issues are addressed. We are calling for stricter enforcement of sustainability standards to safeguard our unique ecosystems. We are working constructively with the parties to ensure FSC stand strong on this important principle.

If HVP were to plant pines, this would have threatened the survival of the largest population of critically endangered Slender Tree-ferns in Australia. We are advocating for immediate action to protect the Slender Tree-fern, rainforest and other rare and threatened species.

We must ensure responsible forestry practices for the future of our environment. 🌱

View the current FSC Australian standards here

Excerpt from: The FSC National Forest Stewardship Standard of Australia FSC-STD-AUS-01-2018 EN

PRINCIPLE 10: IMPLEMENTATION OF MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

Management activities conducted by or for The Organisation* for the Management Unit* shall* be selected and implemented consistent with The Organisation’s* economic, environmental and social policies and objectives* and in compliance with the Principles* and Criteria* collectively.

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*. (New)

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.

Verifiers:
• Documentation of environmental values* identification, assessment and management for both native forests* and plantations *.
• Documentation of pre-harvest* conditions for native forests*.

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*.

Verifiers:
• Documentation of assessments of pre-harvest* conditions.
• Documentation of regeneration* plans, including targets and timings.