AT LEAST two timber processing facilities, including a Mount Gambier operator are pulling out of Australia’s peak forestry lobby group.
The decision to jump ship from the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) was the result of what the company described as an internal conflict of interest due to begin predominately controlled by forest owners.
The AFPA is the peak national body representing four categories of members, including growers, hardwood processing, softwood processing and pulp, paper and bioproducts.
However, a company spokesperson said the Mount Gambier was joining the South Australian Timber Processors Association, which it claimed best represented the interests of the business given the imbalance between processors and growers.
South Australian Timber Processors Association chief executive David Quill confirmed two facilities had signed on with the group in recent weeks.
“Strength is always in numbers,” he said.
“Perhaps what has gained momentum is the move by the district councils to lobby for a national inquiry.
“The drive by the councils is simply a drive for increased domestic fibre.
“It is not a witch hunt, effectively the objective it to ensure the fibre that is being exported is not the fibre that is needed for local industries.”
Mr Quill conceded it was difficult for AFPA to represent both growers and processors “given access to fibre is the issue”.
“They are a good organisation, but while there is a strong group of forest growers that essentially run it, AFPA is unable to resolve the issue,” he said.
