Activists have descended on Ta Ann Tasmania’s Smithton plant for a second consecutive day, undeterred by the arrest of two protesters just 24 hours earlier.
The Bob Brown Foundation said more than 100 “defenders” were taking part in its “Forest Resistance Tour” at forestry operations across the state on Wednesday.
“Our Forest Resistance Tour is in its third day of frontline action and the resistance is only growing,” the foundation said.
Protesters claim the company is logging high-conservation-value native forest – a claim the industry flatly rejects.
Ta Ann Tasmania general manager Robert Yong said the campaign was “based on wrong information”.
“Once again green protestors are disrupting a fully complying lawful business that adds value to sustainable supplies of hardwood logs, turning them into veneer and plywood products to supply much needed building materials,” he said.
Yong said Ta Ann was “the only company to contractually protect the conservation outcomes of the Tasmanian Forest Agreement”.
The Tasmanian Forest Products Association hit back at what it called targeted action showing “complete disregard” for workers who depend on the industry.
“Let’s be clear, trespassing on active worksites whilst using hostile tactics is not peaceful protest,” chief executive Nick Steel said.
“It is reckless, unlawful and completely unacceptable.”
Steel said protesters could not obstruct hard-working Tasmanians from conducting lawful business.
“There is deep hypocrisy in campaigning against well-regulated, regenerated Tasmanian forestry while continuing to consume timber and paper products every day,” he said.
“If activists succeed in shutting down local supply, the shortfall will be filled by imported products, often sourced from countries with deforestation, illegal logging and minimal environmental oversight.”
Treasurer Eric Abetz questioned the activists’ targets.
“Why are the extreme greens campaigning against the use of plantation and regrowth timber?” he said.
“How else are we going to get wood supplies which are renewable and biodegradable?”
The Bob Brown Foundation says its goal is to end native forest logging.
