Environmental activists have stormed a woodchip mill where car tyres were allegedly slashed

Police were called to intervene after a protest spiralled out of control at a Tasmanian woodchip mill this morning, adding to escalating tensions between logging operators and protesters. LATEST >>

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CAR tyres were allegedly slashed and police were called to intervene after a protest spiralled out of control at a Tasmanian woodchip mill.

Twenty Bob Brown Foundation protesters stormed Artec woodchip mill in the state’s north Friday calling for an end of logging in Tasmania’s old growth forests.

Two protesters reportedly scaled a 30-metre crane during the invasion.

Car tyres slashed at Bob Brown Foundation protest at woodchip mill in state's North.

Bob Brown Foundation campaign organiser Erik Hayward claimed protesters’ tyres were slashed.

“Our forests are not safe, our future is not secure and still Artec is woodchipping our global carbon stores,” he said.

“It is time to end native forest logging. We will not cease our defence of the last remaining native forests and wilderness.”

Police address Bob Brown Foundation protesters at woodchip mill in the state's North.

A Tasmania Police spokeswoman said several police and protesters remained at the Bell Bay mill at 11am on Friday.

No arrests had been made at that time.

Artec declined the Mercury’s request for comment.

It follows escalating tensions between logging operators and protesters in recent weeks, including refusal by the state’s forestry body to allow a Bob Brown Foundation-hosted marathon event to take place in timber production land in the state’s North.