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The Forestry and Conservation Minister, Wilson Tuckey, said buyers could look for the Australian Forestry Standard as "proof of responsible environmental management" of Australia's native forests.
He said the government would set the rules in consultation with the states, scientists, community groups and industry. The scheme would be administered by "someone like a registered professional forester". The standard would be mainly about commercial practice in sustainable forest management. The move to adopt a standard has been spurred by international demands for the environmental accreditation of consumer products. Green consumerism is strong in the European Union and gaining momentum in-the US.
Australian companies are already feeling the pressure. The Western Australian
company Sotico is on notice from the British agency Railtrack that it will
lose a lucrative contract unless its sleepers are accredited by the international
Forest Stewardship Council.
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