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Australian Forestry Standards AGM and AS4708 review

The 2012 Australian Forestry Standard Ltd annual general meeting will be held on 25 October in Melbourne and will include the appointment of directors. Four vacancies on the board are expected to be filled at the meeting. Source: Timberbiz

AFS is seeking nominations to fill four anticipated vacancies on its board: three directors to represent the forest and wood products sector members and one to represent general members

In addition to the required presentation of financial reports and the election of directors, AFS will host a certification seminar to provide members and interested stakeholders with an update on developments in certification and particularly to report on progress in the review of the Forestry Management Standard AS4708.

The Standard Review Committee appointed by AFS to review the Australian Forestry Standard (AS4708) has released the second draft for public comment.

The draft has been sent to a broad range of stakeholders in forest management seeking comment. The comment period will close on Monday 1 October 2012.

The Committee released the first draft of the revised standard for public comment in March 2012 and the comment period closed in May. Approximately 30 detailed submissions were received from stakeholders.

The majority of submissions were broadly supportive but included more than 500 comments or suggestions about how clauses in the draft could be improved.

The review process is being undertaken in accordance with Standards Australia procedures. AFS is accredited as a Standards Development Organisation and can therefore develop and review Australian Standards provided the necessary procedures are followed.

The second draft revision of the Standard and a submission form can be downloaded from the AFS website.

For more information about the revision of the Australian Standard for Sustainable Forest Management email [email protected].