28 January 2010
DAFF10/378BJ

The Rudd Government and Tasmanian State Government today released a Joint Government Response to the Second Five Yearly Review of the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement (RFA).

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke and Tasmanian Minister for Energy and Resources David Llewellyn said the response highlighted the determination of  both governments to work cooperatively to keep Tasmania’s forests well managed and sustainable.

The Ministers’ joint response addresses all 43 recommendations for further improving management practices and monitoring emerging issues which were outlined in the review.

The commitments in the joint response will ensure Tasmania’s forest management system continues to adapt to reflect new information as well as community expectations and priorities, such as climate change.

Mr Burke said RFAs were central to the sustainable management of Australia’s major forests and forestry industries.

“Regional Forest Agreements are the cornerstone of our national forest policy,” Mr Burke said.

Mr Llewellyn said maintaining high standards in sustainable forest management was a priority for the Tasmanian Government.

“Tasmania will continue to build on its strong record of implementing the Regional Forest Agreement,” Mr Llewellyn said.

The Joint Response was tabled in the Australian Parliament in the Senate today and is publicly available on the websites of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the Tasmanian Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources.