Australia calls for review of certification schemes

摘要

When Australian forestry minister Eric Abetz recently called for a review of forest certification schemes, he took a very public swipe at the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and struck a chord with many in the wood industry. But, as Elizabeth Howarthdiscovered, others are wondering if there is a hidden political agenda. FOUNDED IN 1994 WITH support from leading ENGOs, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Greenpeace, the FSC has consistently adopted what, in the eyes of some, is an arrogant stance. It frequently describes itself as the only certification scheme worth the paper it's written on, a position publicly supported by the WWF. When seeking the essential international accreditation, the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) chose the FSC's big global rival, the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). While the majority of Australia's certified plantation forests are now under this scheme, the FSC does have a significant following and there are moves afoot to establish a transtasman plantation standard under the council's banner.