PROCESSORS in western Queensland’s cypress sector are considering a low-cost group chain-of-custody certification scheme following a presentation at Dalby by Australian Forestry Standard CEO Simon Dorries.
Gathering at a cypress certification meeting in western Queensland are, from left, Todd Lewis, Walker Cypress, Mitchell Goodchild, Yuleba Cypress, Roger Brent, Hurfords, Mick Stephens, CEO, Timber Queensland, Vic Gersekowski, Vic’s Timber, Simon Dorries, CEO Australian Forestry Standard Ltd, Ian Wilson, Injune Cypress, and Ian Hornick, Hornick Cypress.
There are around 2.5 million ha of cypress-dominated forests in Australia, including cypress in forests mixed with eucalypts.
Management practices by both the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Forestry Commission NSW are certified under the AFS standard AS 4708. “The group AFS scheme can reduce certification costs by 60-70% for individual processors,” Mr Dorries said.
Timber Queensland is helping to facilitate the scheme for cypress division members, which tracks certified wood through their businesses. “Reception to the scheme was very positive,” TQ CEO Mick Stephens said.
Mr Dorries said the scheme would get off the ground after group meetings with cypress producers and some spot audits.
There will be lot of cost savings here and it will allow cypress mills to use the AFS-Australian Made logo on products which are compliant with the Australian Standard for Chain of Custody of Forest Products,” Mr Dorries said. “It’s a simple, yet rigorous system that covers all steps in the supply chain.
“Increasingly, consumers are demanding that the wood products they buy are made from timber that can be traced back to a sustainable and legal source.”
The group certification proposal mirrors a successful scheme in Tasmania, managed by Fine Timbers Australia, which covers more than 40 sites ranging from the smallest user of high-end specialty timbers building custom guitars to the largest sawmilling enterprises and wood fibre exporters.
The Tassie scheme now covers more than 40 sites ranging from the smallest user of high end specialty timbers building custom guitars to the largest sawmilling enterprises and wood fibre exporters.
Information about chain-of-custody certification can be directed to AFS Ltd on (07) 3359 1758 or email [email protected]
