Australia’s forestry industry continues to show signs of growth according to a new report released by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARES). Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries, Senator Jonathon Duniam, said the report’s findings were great news for the country’s economy and particularly the regions. / Timberbiz

Artificial barriers preventing forest industry businesses from accessing carbon credits through the Federal Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) means the fund isn’t realising its full potential according to Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Mr Ross Hampton. / Timberbiz

The PPGI held a meeting with the Economic Cluster of Directors-General in the Union Buildings last week. This was the last meeting of the Directors-General of the 5th administration since 1994 and so it was important for them to ratify the 5-year business plans of the key sectors, as these would form the main economic plan of the new administration after the May 2019 General Elections. / Forestry South Africa

The notified area of final felling increased by 17 per cent in the region South of Sweden during May compared with the corresponding month in 2018. In some counties has is it doubled. That is shown by monthly statistics from the Swedish Forest Agency. One reason for the increase is the infestation of bark beetle which leads forest owners to notify for final felling to clear damaged forests. On national level there is only small alterations compared with May 2018. / Swedish Forest Agency