Forest Products Industry

In response to growing global concern about deforestation and its impact on the planet, the European Union has enacted the Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) to prevent deforestation in global supply chains, set to come into force on the 1 January 2025. Source: Timberbiz The regulation will prohibit the import of commodities including beef, palm oil, coffee, paper and derived products, unless their origins can be traced, using geolocation data to prove that the products do not originate from recently deforested land or have contributed to forest degradation. The use of leather within vehicle interiors makes the automotive industry a significant player in the leather market and has previously been under the spotlight for not doing enough to mitigate its deforestation risks. There are still some areas of the automotive supply chain which fall short in addressing its deforestation footprint especially when it comes to responsible and sustainable sourcing of materials. For more than two decades and through a host of multi-million-pound investments in its state-of-the-art production facility, Bridge of Weir has led the automotive leather industry with its commitment to traceability and efficient, circular manufacturing, adhering to the upcoming EUDR regulations. As a business, Bridge of Weir Leather is 100% transparent, something very few suppliers can claim. They meticulously track the journey of their materials from their source, ensuring transparency and accountability every step of the way. Its commitment offers Deforestation-free leather is not just a legislative requirement but a moral imperative. The growing support from various industries shows that the demand for deforestation-free leather is more than just a trend; it reflects an ongoing movement for ethical practices to protect the world’s ecosystem and shape a more responsible global business landscape. Bridge of Weir Leather sets itself apart by providing confidence in its supply chain. With full traceability of its rawhides, the company already adheres to the European Parliament’s regulation, ensuring its supply chains do not in any way contribute to deforestation. From sourcing over 98% of its rawhides locally from the UK and Ireland, all of which are a by-product of the beef and dairy industries, there’s no risk of deforestation with any Bridge of Weir Leather product. Scottish Leather Group’s 2023 ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) report is a testament to showing its progress towards achieving net zero leather production by 2025 and how the business can directly support its customers’ sustainability targets. The detailed report highlights a 90% reduction in the carbon intensity of its leather over the last 20 years, as well as 100% traceability of raw materials and 77% of waste recycled in 2022.

Tigercat has added a fifth model to its harvesting head line-up with the new three-wheel drive 573. Source: Timberbiz In late September 2023, visitors to the PLC live demo event held in the US got a sneak peak of the new Tigercat 573 harvesting head processing logs on the end of a Tigercat 875E logger. Since then, multiple units have been testing in far flung regions from Canada to Australia and the results are in. The 573 is shaping up to be a high performing, reliable head for roadside processing and harvesting. Best suited to medium and large tree profiles, the 573 has a 800 mm maximum cut capacity and offers optimal performance in 400-600 mm diameter timber. The feed rollers close down to 60 mm allowing the 573 to smoothly delimb and process smaller diameter trees and thus achieve higher value fibre recovery. The compact frame design deftly handles poor stem form and contributes to tidy delimbing performance. The triangulated feed wheel arm configuration operates in locked three-wheel drive. This, combined with timed knife arms, provide the operator with fast picking and positive stem control for high productivity in roadside processing applications. Independently mounted, trailing-arm length measuring ensures reliable tracking and accuracy. The top knife and lower/back knife pivot on the same side of the chassis frame, aligning the position and flow of each stem centrally through the head. This arrangement promotes positive contact with all three feed rollers and the measuring wheel at all times. The result is better quality and accuracy, reduced fuel consumption, and greater processing speed. The orientation also provides the operator with a clear sightline to the measuring wheel. The 573 is standard equipped with continuous rotation for ease of use and superior hose routing and protection. Quick, stable WiFi connectivity between the cab and attachment modules reduces wire routing along the boom and provides excellent command response. The Tigercat D7 control system is available with Priority or Optimization levels and is fully compatible and compliant with StanForD Classic and 2010. The 573 is a great fit for the H250D, 850 and 875E for roadside processing applications and the H822E and H855E carriers for in-stand harvesting.

Earthsight has learned that a vessel carrying some €40 million of Russian conflict timber was seized by German Customs. The ship, 23,000-tonne Atlantic Navigator II, was enroute from St Petersburg in Russia to the US east coast when it developed a fault and was forced to dock at Rostock port on the German Baltic coast in late March. Source; Timberbiz Earthsight learned of the action through industry sources; it was then confirmed by German Customs. Russian timber was banned in Europe in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The timber industry is one of the largest sources of government revenue in Russia after oil and gas. All forests in the country are state-owned, some of them by the military, and Earthsight’s research has previously shown how many of the largest timber companies are owned by billionaire oligarchs close to Putin. Though the UK and EU have banned Russian wood, the US has so far failed to follow suit, despite calls for it to do so by the Ukrainian Parliament. The vessel is one of a small fleet operated by a Canadian-owned shipping firm, Atlantic Ro-Ro Carriers (ARRC), which sail back and forth between Russia and the US, their cargoes almost entirely made up of Russian birch ply. US import records analysed by Earthsight show that the Atlantic Navigator II offloaded 9399 cubic metres of such ply at US ports in October 2023, and a further 5876 cubic metres in December 2023. The vessel halted at Rostock is believed to be carrying a similar quantity on this occasion. Such an amount of plywood, when sold at retail, is worth an estimated €40 million. Laid out, the plywood could cover an area as large as 200 football fields. According to Earthsight’s sources, German Customs have placed a ‘hold’ on the ship due to alleged violation of EU sanctions relating to the plywood on board. ARRC’s lawyers argued that the vessel’s cargo should be exempt because it only docked in Germany due to an emergency. German Customs have rejected that argument, and ARRC is set to appeal. When it last took this journey, 161 of the 192 shipping containers on board were filled with birch plywood. Thirteen of those were plywood supplied by Russian timber giant Sveza, which is part-owned by Alexei Mordashov, Russia’s richest man. Mordashov, who is the subject of EU and US sanctions, was among a select group of oligarchs who met with Putin on the day of the invasion. He has been called ‘Putin’s banker’ as a result of another of his firms, Bank Rossiya. Our sources indicate that there are at least 650 cubic metres of plywood from Sveza on board the vessel this time – as much as 10% of the cargo. “This is the largest cross-border seizure of illegal wood I have ever come across”, said Earthsight’s Director, Sam Lawson, who has been studying the international trade in illegal timber for 25 years. Petro Testov, a Ukrainian campaigner who was among those to call for a ban on Russian wood following the invasion, a call which was supported by 130 NGOs from around the world, said: “It is essential that German authorities stand firm, and prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law. This blood-timber should be sold and the proceeds donated to Ukrainian humanitarian causes.” US Presidential Executive Order 14068 of 11 March 2022, which banned other Russian commodities, including diamonds, but omitted timber, empowers the US Treasury Secretary to add further items to the list without requiring additional legislation. However, in its latest round of sanctions, passed in the wake of the murder of Russian dissident Alexey Navalny, calls for the inclusion of Russian wood were again ignored by the Biden Administration. “This continued failure to act by the US government is shameful. They must stop profiting from this trade and finally ban Russian wood. We have waited too long”, Testov said.

For the first time in 10 years FTMA Australia took its conference out of Queensland, returning to where it all started in Victoria. The conference was held in late March at Geelong’s newly refurbished arts centre. Source: Timberbiz The conference theme was Looking Outside the Triangle and the first speaker made everyone sit up and focus. Robert Pradolin of Housing All Australians talked about the homelessness situation in Australia and showed a compelling short video. Furthermore, he touched on the role that private business has in addressing homelessness. Tim Woods presented on the latest housing and timber markets, he was then joined by a panel consisting of Karl-Heinz Weiss, Tim Newman and Nick Hewson to talk about the threats to market share, and where housing in Australia was headed. Dr Alastair Woodard who presented on the great opportunities for the Advanced Timber Framing Collective looked at what the sector needs to move forward, such as revising AS1684. Delegates were treated to a masterclass on the new IR laws by Brenda Garrard-Forster from HR Anywhere who also outlined ways in which you can avoid workplace injuries and how to handle Workcover claims. Finally, the keynote speaker was Tim Jarvis OAM, sponsored by MiTek, who spoke about leadership through adversity.

The Otago Regional Council’s proposed setback rules are an overreaction, the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association says. As part of its draft Land and Water Regional Plan, the council has proposed forestry setbacks of 20 to 50 metres from rivers, lakes and wetlands. Source: Stuff NZ Most other councils follow the regulations in the National Environmental Standard for Commercial Forestry that call for setbacks of 5 to 10 metres. Otago Regional Council’s general manager policy and science Anita Dawe said the council staff were still working through feedback on the plan, which would be refined before it was notified in June. The proposed draft calls for setbacks of 20m on slopes with a gradient of 10 degrees or lower, and 50m on slopes steeper than 10 degrees. “The plan is based on technical information including science, consents and compliance data across a range of activities, including forestry, to achieve community expectations for water quality and quantity,” Dawe said. New Zealand Farm Forestry Association President Neil Cullen called the rules “quite draconian,” pointing out that farmers would lose a lot of forestry production land over their total forest area. Many of the association’s members are farmers who have planted forests on what was often otherwise unproductive land, earning credits under the Emissions Trading Scheme. But removing this forestry would count as deforestation under the scheme, Cullen said, which meant owners would have to pay out carbon credits. “The council doesn’t understand the problem it’s created,” Cullen said. “There is no evidence that forestry is causing issues to waterways in Otago. “I think they’ve been scared by what happened on the East Coast where the land is quite unstable.” Cullen was referring to the forestry slash that caused further flooding and damage when it was washed into waterways during Cyclone Gabrielle last year. This was soon after calls for an enquiry into forestry practices sparked by the death of a child at Waikanae Beach who was struck by a floating log washed out by Cyclone Hale in January 2023. But the land in Otago was stable, Cullen said, and there was no reason why regulations in the region should be tougher. Forestry had a good track record but had received a bad reputation because of the poor farming practices in foreign-owned blocks, he said. With little other activity in forestry blocks, it could be better for water quality, Cullen said, adding that harvesting crews were making sure no sediment was going into waterways. “There’s good compliance in terms of looking after waterways and practices are improving all the time.” Cullen worried that over-regulating forestry would make it costly and less attractive to farmers only just considering it. “Landowners are going to say: ‘why bother?’” Pakihiroa Farms general manager and Ngāti Porou Agribusiness spokesperson Hilton Collier saw first-hand the damage caused in Gisborne. While the setbacks sounded steep to him, he said there was another problem with the long-term plan. “Isn’t it intriguing that we try to make decisions for 30 years, yet we can’t guarantee what will happen in 30 years,” he said. “Our councils struggle with Long Term Plans and we’re talking about planting forests that will last for 30 or 50 years.” There was a 200-hectare forest on the land he managed, Collier said, that might never be harvested because despite being planted 50m away from the river, the river moved and was now right up against the forest line. He believed regulations needed more nuance. “It has to be site specific. It comes down to: what’s the right thing for the land?” Most regional councils in New Zealand confirmed that they were using the forestry setback regulations set out in the National Environmental Standard for Commercial Forestry but said amendments could be considered when various regional policies came up for review.

WA’s Forest Product Commission’s (FPC) Farm Forestry Assist Program, established in 2018, is a one-off grant for farmers and other landowners to plant pine trees on their properties. Source: Timberbiz It is open to farmers and landowners who are interested in establishing 20 to 50-hectare pine plantations subject to criteria such as location, scale, soil, access, and management of the plantations to ensure that any resulting plantings have the capacity to help support Western Australia’s softwood industry. Successful applicants receive free, high-quality pine (Pinus radiata) seedlings from the West Manjimup Nursery and Seed Centre. The pine seedlings available through this grant have been developed through a long-running tree improvement program, with selections based on drought-resistance, productivity, and timber properties. Successful applicants can also access technical assistance to ensure the establishment process results in a healthy and productive plantation. Since the launch of the program, more than 750,000 pine (Pinus radiata) seedlings have been planted across 20 properties with total area of over 550 hectares. Established plantings have the capacity to diversify income, complement farm operations, provide landcare benefits, sequester carbon for financial gain and carbon offset, and contribute to meeting Western Australia’s future timber and fibre demand. The program complements the State’s $350 million softwood investment plan to ensure a robust and sustainable forestry industry. More information here.

Growers are increasing Australians’ confidence in homegrown forest products with a fully certified supply chain and the backing of the nationally endorsed ForestFit Standard and certification scheme. Source: Timberbiz AFPA members have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) to implement ForestFit to improve the management of critical risks, reduce costs and increase efficiencies for growers and contracting businesses. Lead AFPA member signatories are Forico, HQ Plantations, Midway, New Forests, OneFortyOne, Sustainable Forest Management, Timberlands Pacific and Western Australian Plantation Resources. “AFPA welcomes the ForestFit MOU and the role it will play streamlining the strategic partnership between two critical sections of the supply chain in growers and contracting businesses,” AFPA Chief Executive Officer Diana Hallam said. ForestFit Project Manager with AFCA, Dionne Olsen said ForestFit provided a national Standard for Contracting Businesses to certify their business systems and manage their operational risk whilst supporting growers to manage their commercial risk. Certification to the Standard provides assurance of performance and continuous improvement. The Standard is aligned to international management system standards ISO 9001: Quality, 45001: Occupational health and safety and 14001: Environment which have has been contextualised with criteria for operations including harvest, haulage, civil silviculture and minor forest products. ForestFit sits in alignment with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Responsible Wood, creating a fully certified supply chain for Australia. It has established a Deemed to Comply with Responsible Wood which reduces audit duplication and downtime.

Responsible Forest Management Australia Limited (RFMAL), operating as FSC Australia (FSC ANZ), is accepting nominations for six director positions to join the FSC Australia board of directors. Source: Timberbiz The upcoming board year marks an exciting phase for FSC ANZ as it embarks on the third year of a strategic plan with numerous significant initiatives in progress. Notably, the revision of the National Forest Stewardship Standard for Australia. Additionally, its Promotional Licence Holder (PLH) partnership program continues to flourish across Australia and New Zealand, and the engagement with FSC community through events like International Women’s Day, International Day of Forests, the PLH forum and FSC Forest Week campaigns foster collaboration across Australia and New Zealand, emphasising the significance of FSC certification. The momentum of FSC ANZ has reached new heights, underscoring the important role of the board directors and members in ensuring continued success. Directors serve for three-year terms. The positions are determined at the FSC Australia’s AGM either by direct appointment when the number of eligible candidates does not exceed the relevant vacancy, or voting by the FSC Australia members when there are more eligible candidates than vacant positions. The successful nominees will be determined and announced at the AGM to be held on 30 May 2024, in Canberra. The board is comprised of nine directors, three from each chamber (economic, environmental and social). This year there are six director positions available as follows: Economic Chamber – two positions available Environmental Chamber – two positions available Social Chamber – two positions available. To nominate for the board, complete and email the “Nomination as a Director of Responsible Forest Management Australia Limited” form by 26 April 2024. For more information: https://anz.fsc.org/newsfeed/board-director-nominations-now-open

Forestry Australia has welcomed the decision by the Federal Court to allow planned prescribed burns in the Strathbogie Forest. In the Federal Court, Justice Horan dismissed a move to stop four prescribed burns in the forest. Source: Timberbiz Forestry Australia President Dr Michelle Freeman said prescribed burning recognises Australia’s fire-dependent ecosystems, and fire-adapted flora and fauna that have evolved through the long tradition of indigenous caring for Country. “Decades of on ground research and lived experience has shown that prescribed burning can reduce subsequent bushfire severity through reducing fuel loads and also make bushfires easier to control when they do occur,” Dr Freeman said. “Fuel reduced forests are significantly less affected than forests carrying heavy fuel loads when unplanned mid-summer bushfires pass through them, and this is why prescribed burning is an essential activity.” Dr Freeman said fire requires three elements – fuel, oxygen, and heat – known as the “fire triangle”. “Of these, the only variable that humans can control in forests is fuel level – and well-planned prescribed burning is an effective tool for managing forest fuel accumulation. “That being said, it is imperative that prescribed burning is planned and managed appropriately, informed by evidence, with other forest values and key habitats in mind”. “Inappropriate or unnatural fire regimes are the second-most cited reason, after invasive species, for threatened species listings in Australia. “While there is no panacea for reducing the impacts of catastrophic bushfires, well-managed prescribed burning is a scientifically proven part of the solution. “Simply, reduced fuel levels in forests will reduce the severity of bushfires under all bar the most catastrophic fire weather conditions.

The Coalition, the Australian Greens and key Senate crossbenchers have stood up for Australian plantation forestry, fixing laws that would have hampered investment in much needed new forestry plantings, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Diana Hallam said. Source: Timberbiz The Treasury Laws Amendment Bill was amended in the Senate to remove completely unintended negative consequences on plantation forestry in Australia. “In a united front for common sense and good policy, the Coalition, Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and United Australia supported a Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Amendment to fix the unintended consequences of the Treasury Laws Amendment Bill on the plantation forestry sector,” Diana Hallam said. “I thank Pauline Hanson’s One Nation for moving the amendment and standing up for the Australian forestry sector. I thank the Coalition, the Greens and key crossbenchers for their support and recognition that new forestry plantations are vitally important for Australian jobs and investment. “Despite the Department of Treasury revealing that plantation forestry sector companies were not intended to be captured by the Bill and being aware of the unintended negative consequences on the plantation forestry sector, the issues remained unresolved prior to the Bill’s introduction to Parliament, or after two Senate inquiries into the Bill. “If the Bill had passed as drafted, it would have undermined prospects for jobs and investment, and the Government’s own plantation forestry expansion goals and international commitments to increase the use of timber in the built environment. “Globally, there is not enough timber being grown to meet demand. Australia is facing a long-term shortage of home-grown timber for house-frames, flooring and paper and packaging products. We need more investment in new forestry plantations to ensure in the decades ahead, we have enough resource to create these essential and everyday items that Aussies need. The vote in the Senate was a win for Australia’s sovereign capability in timber and wood supply, a win for jobs in rural and regional areas, and a win for common sense Ms Hallam said.