Expressing enthusiasm for this development, FSC ANZ CEO, Melanie Robertson, states “While the 2018 NFSS has performed well, it is now booked in for a scheduled service to ensure it can continue to support best-practice forest management across all types of forestry in Australia by incorporating contemporary scientific insights and the latest knowledge.”
Melanie Robertson explains, “There is a raft of changes introduced by FSC International that will be incorporated into the revised Standard regarding workers’ rights and pesticide use among other topics. Additionally, the revision aims to further bolster the rights of Indigenous Peoples through the introduction of the Indigenous Cultural Landscapes concept.”
She continues, “The FSC ANZ Board has also determined that the revised Standard must better support responsible forest management in the face of a changing climate and what is expected to be more frequent and severe bushfires.”
The Standards Development Group
FSC International has also approved the composition of the Standards Development Group appointed by the FSC ANZ Board to draft the revised Standard. Melanie Robertson explains, “This group of experts in their field, with equal representation from economic, environmental and social stakeholders, serves as the construction site for new and revised requirements. It is within this collaborative forum that revisions to the Standard are meticulously discussed and drafted.” She highlights, “In a testament to the enduring strength of the FSC brand in Australia, we have assembled a Standards Development Group with an incredible breadth of knowledge and experience, representing most facets of forestry in the country. The revision could not be in better hands.”
The process
The revision process, which has already commenced, is expected to wrap up in mid-2025. Before its completion, the revised Standard will go through two rounds of public consultation and forest testing. The first round of public consultation is planned to occur in mid-2024 and will be announced through all available channels.