TASMANIAN DEFORESTATION

Early day motion 896, tabled 23 March 2004 by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 106 members.

That this House deplores the current large-scale deforestation of native forest in the Australian state of Tasmania; notes that rare and ancient trees up to several hundred years old are being destroyed, mostly being turned into woodchips to make paper and tissue, and that recognised endangered species are being deliberately and painfully exterminated through the wilful and indiscriminate use of the highly toxic chemical 1080; believes this to be a blot on the good name of Australia and notes that in a recent opinion poll, 85 per cent. of Australians wanted woodchipping of old-growth forest ended; believes that the Australian Federal Government, as a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity and in the light of its own Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, has a duty to also protect its own native species; calls upon the British Government to urge the Australian Federal Government to intervene in order to bring Tasmanian forestry methods in line with Australia's international commitments and best practice within Australia; and suggests that the 30,000 British tourists who visit Tasmania annually should consider whether they wish to visit the state while it sanctions policies so destructive to the natural environment and to wildlife.

Signatures by party: Labour 48, Liberal Democrat 42, Conservative 6, Labour/Co-operative 3, Plaid Cymru 3, UUP 2, DUP 1, Scottish National Party 1.