Veneer processor Ta Ann Tasmania is considering overhauling its operations to help the forest peace talks. Source: ABC News
Ta Ann’s rotary veneer mills process native logs that are 20 to 70 centimetres in diameter but the Resources Minister, Bryan Green, has revealed the company will trial using smaller and lower quality peeler logs.
He says a permanent change could free up forests for reservations under the state’s peace talks to reduce native forest logging.
“That might help ensure that we can come up with a volume for Ta Ann out of the existing mix that allows some room within the negotiations,” he said.
Under its 20-year wood supply agreement with Forestry Tasmania, Ta Ann has an annual entitlement of 265,000 cubic metres of peeler billets.
It is understood Ta Ann’s trial could start very soon, a trial using plantation supply will follow.
