WA: Japanese consumers seek woodchipping halt

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2000
WA: Japanese consumers seek woodchipping halt

PERTH, Dec 14 AAP - A group claiming to represent 30 million Japanese consumers has
written to the West Australian government and industrial giant Wesfarmers seeking the
immediate halt of woodchipping of WA's old-growth forests.

The Japanese Consumer Union (JCU), which says it represents consumers on environmental
and food safety matters, expressed concern about environmental impacts of woodchipping,
particularly its contribution to global warming.

The Wilderness Society of WA said today the strongly-worded letter from the Tokyo-based
organisation was a major step forward in a growing international consumer movement aimed
at protecting WA's old growth forests.

In the letter, JCU secretary general Nobuko Hiwasa said the group had talked to experts
who had indicated plantation woodchips could replace primary forest woodchips with no
adverse impact on export volumes.

"We believe that Australian state governments have a vital role to play in creating
an economic climate suitable for this immediate transition to take place, and woodchip
companies as good global citizens should adopt ethical policies and practices," Mr Hiwasa
wrote.

Comment was being sought from the premier and Wesfarmers.

AAP sd/cjh

KEYWORD: WOODCHIPS

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