Forest Stewardship Council Australia (FSC Australia) today welcomed the news that Australian Bluegum Plantations (ABP) has had its FSC Forest Management Certification reinstated following an extensive review of six major non-conformances by independent auditors, Rainforest Alliance.
The FSC scheme exists to protect biodiversity and is recognised globally as having the most rigorous environmental and social standards for responsible forest management. It provides an effective way for FSC certified plantations and operators to improve their practices and for consumers, is the environmental tick of approval for paper and wood products sold throughout Australia.
FSC Australian CEO, Natalie Reynolds, welcomed ABP’s swift response to rectifying the non-conformances identified in October 2013 relating to koala welfare. “ABP’s FSC certification provided the platform for local stakeholders to raise concerns, for independent certification bodies to conduct audits and for swift and decisive action to be taken. This is an example of the FSC system working as designed – it has helped to find a solution to the recently identified problem,” Reynolds said.
On the back of the ABP investigation new initiatives have been implemented that will raise the bar for the industry as a whole around the important issue of koala welfare.
The FSC stamp has grown in dominance internationally and is becoming increasingly recognised in Australia as being synonymous with responsibly managed forests.
“Consumers can make a real difference – their choices wield power,” Reynolds said. “When you’re in the supermarket or the hardware store chose products that carry the FSC stamp. It’s what drives the industry to obtain FSC Certification, and meeting this standard is what drives change.”
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