"The RFAs have been a manifest failure by allowing over-logging in our precious forests, polluting waterways and destroying vital habitat for threatened species" said Dawn Walker, MP.
"The RFAs were supposed to end the 'forest wars' between communities, Governments and loggers when they were signed approximately 20 years ago, but they have resulted in intensified logging and an alarming crash in koala populations by 50% in parts of NSW.
"Part of the problem is that the current RFAs only value of forests in a very narrow way and there have been continued breaches of regulations that were supposed to protect native species, often with zero consequence for loggers. Many of these breaches have only been documented and uncovered because of the work of conservationists.
"It is time to move away from this outdated model of forest management and recognise our forests as more than a timber resource to log."
"We are concerned that the Government intends to automatically renew the RFAs for a further 20 years without the rigorous studies required to underpin such an extension, and are calling for the community to make submissions against the RFAs via the submission template on my website (www.dawnwalker.org.au/
"Put simply, the RFAs are a failed model of forest management and the Greens want them scrapped so we can move our wood products industries to sustainably managed plantation sources" said Dawn Walker, NSW Greens MP.
Background:
The Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) are 20 year plans made by the Commonwealth and State Governments designed to provide certainty to commercial forestry operations, while supposedly protecting environmental values. There are three RFAs in NSW (Eden, Southern NSW and North East NSW), which are reviewed every 5 years. Submissions close on Monday 12 March 2018.
For more information: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/
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