Australasia's home for timber news and information

TTF UK reflects on a week of COVID-19

The UK Government announcement that it was time to work from home wherever possible, and to close all non-essential businesses which according to the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) started the confusion, as “hardware” stores – including timber and builders’ merchants – were exempt from
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Indonesia may go back to illegal logging practices

A resurgence in illegal logging in Indonesia may be on the cards after the government declared that wood exports would no longer have to comply with a stringent legality check that took a decade to put in place. Sources: Timberbiz, Mongabay, Reuters Under the new regulation issued by
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PEFC transition period extended for revised standards

To support certified entities and certification bodies during the COVID-19 challenge, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) has extended the transition period for its three revised international standards by six months. Source: Timberbiz This extension applies t
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Branding starts for OFO in NZ as it transitions from Nelson Forests

The New Zealand side of the OneFortyOne (OFO) business is arguably experiencing a bigger change than other areas as it transitions from the well-known regional brand of Nelson Forests to OneFortyOne New Zealand as part of the company-wide rebranding project. Source: Timberbiz Environm
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NZ battles COVID-19 and has forestry package ready

The Forest Owners Association is backing the government’s strategy to combat COVID-19 as just about all parts of the forest industry are now in shut-down. President Phil Taylor says the FOA appreciates the government’s difficulties in working in great haste to protect people against t
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NSW and SA State Forests closed

Camping and picnic areas in NSW State forests have been temporarily closed from midday Friday 27 March 2020 until further notice as part of the public health precaution. Forestry Corporation’s Tourism and Partnerships Manager, Louise Faulkner said this move followed the Government dir
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Gottstein Understanding Wood course deferred to next year

The Gottstein Understanding Wood Science course has been moved to March next year in light of the COVID19 pandemic. Participants and guest presenters and field trip venues will be contacted by the Gottstein team this week to inform them of the change. Source: Timberbiz “We assure thos
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Tiwi Islanders’ woodchip contracts on hold

Forestry workers on the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory have had their contract work put on hold because of the coronavirus epidemic, which has slowed down demand for woodchips in China. Source: ABC Plantation Management Partners (PMP), which manage around 30,000 hectares of ac
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Forest products must continue to ensure essential products

Australian forest products industries must continue to operate to ensure Australians continue to receive essential products and services including sanitary products, food packaging, and freight packaging used by all supermarkets and hospitals, the Australian Forest Products Associatio
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Wilderness Society paper claims totally unfounded says VicForests

Claims have been made by the Wilderness Society that paper Australians are printing on is produced from illegally sourced wood taken from Victoria’s state forests. In particular, the Wilderness Society has claimed that Nippon-owned Australian Paper has illegally processed more than ha
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