Behind the Veneer - Tasmanian Greens MPs

TA ANN: BEHIND THE VENEER
Key Findings
1 Ta Ann Tasmania is processing timber acquired from the logging of old growth forests, high
conservation value forests and forests with recognised world heritage values in Tasmania.
2 Timber sourced from the destruction of Tasmania’s forests is being promoted by Ta Ann Holdings
as ‘environmentally friendly’ plywood, that is supposedly produced from plantations and sustainably
managed regrowth forest. This timber is sold in lucrative overseas markets in Japan, China and Europe.
The promotion and sale of these ‘eco-products’ is a key corporate strategy of the Ta Ann group, and has
been assisted by government agencies, politicians and media outlets in Australia and internationally.
3 Ta Ann’s ‘eco-products’ are not made from plantation timber. The company has stated that plantations
in Tasmania are currently not suitable for their wood supply and has chosen to pursue long term
access to areas of native forest, including old growth and high conservation value forest.
4 Ta Ann Tasmania has become a major driver of forest destruction in Tasmania. The
company’s demand for timber and its large wood supply contract have been used to justify
ongoing logging in some of Tasmania’s most important and contentious forest areas.
5 Ta Ann Tasmania received timber from operations conducted in logging coupes
containing old growth forest, as defined by the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement
(RFA), on at least 35 occasions throughout the 2009-2011 period.
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