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.