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International Protest Over Illegal Tasmanian Logging

Posted: 07/03/2006

London campaigners have joined international action to help save the old growth forests of Tasmania and protest against a corporate lawsuit against campaigners in Australia. The case, brought by the logging company GUNNS, resumes in Melbourne on 9th March. Organised by Rainforest Action Network, protests are taking place in London, New York, Washington DC, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Tokyo.

The protesters in London will deliver a letter to the High Commissioner. The letter demands that the Australian Government must take immediate action to protect all of Tasmania's old-growth forests and safeguard freedom of speech.

Tasmania's unique old growth forests have documented World Heritage value and are home to the grand old-growth Eucalypts (the world tallest hardwood trees) and many unique & endangered species, such as the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle.

The logging company GUNNS clear-cuts an average of 20,000 hectares of virgin native forests/per year (about 44 football fields/per day). There is a well-documented arsenal of logging tactics deployed by GUNNS and industry-controlled Forestry Tasmania. In the wake of massive clearcuts, the industry routinely scorches the Earth with Napalm firebombs to eradicate all remaining life.

GUNNS has also killed hundreds of thousands of native mammals using carrots poisoned with Compound 1080, a lethal super-toxin listed as a biological weapon by both the Canadian and US governments. GUNNS CEO John Gay has publicly stated that it is okay that his company kills endangered animals because “there’s too many of them.” Tasmania’s forests are currently being clear-cut at an unprecedented rate, and the vast majority of these priceless ancient trees are being processed into woodchips by GUNNS to make disposable paper products destined for landfills in America and Asia.

This serious problem has become the largest environmental campaign issue in Australia, led by groups such as the Australian Wilderness Society, and over 85% of the public favours full protection for the old-growth forests.

GUNNS has responded to the campaign by suing activists and environmental groups in the infamous "GUNNS 20" case, which has galvanized public attention in Australia and been condemned by many civil liberty legal experts worldwide. 20 environmental activists, organisations and concerned citizens have been issued a 216 page writ by GUNNS. The woodchipping giant is suing for a combined AU$6.3 million for actions it claims has damaged their business and reputation.

Web sites for further information:
www.gunns20.org
www.mcgunns.com
www.wilderness.org.au

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