Bunnings shuns Vic timber but buys in Papuan and Asian rainforest hardwoods
At least 170 Victorian timber workers face losing their jobs in the wake of Bunnings ban on VicForests.
BUNNINGS has banned taking timber from VicForests sourced native sawlogs, yet continues to sell timber harvested from interstate forests and the jungles of West Papua and Malaysia.
Bunnings notified suppliers last week it would not take any more timber cut from logs supplied by VicForests, due to a Federal Court ruling that VicForests had breached the Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014.
The move has angered suppliers and raised questions about Bunnings own sourcing policy, given the ban will force it to import more tropical hardwoods.
At present Bunnings sells Malaysian Meranti timber, which is a generic term applied to more than 200 tropical rainforest species belonging to the Shorea genera, more than half of which are listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable.
Bunnings also sells Merbau decking sourced from the jungles of West Papua, which are under the control of the Indonesian military.
Bunnings merchandise director Phil Bishop said West Papuan and Malaysian timber was “sourced from lawful and responsibly managed operations”.
However one major Victorian mill operator dismissed Mr Bishop’s claim, saying there was no way Bunnings had line of sight on the Indonesian generals overseeing West Papuan timber harvesting.
Mr Bishop confirmed Bunnings would continue to source native timber from Tasmania, NSW, Queensland and Western Australia, all of which he said met Bunnings’ policy requirements of legal, well-managed and responsible operations.
VicForests chief executive Monique Dawson has written to Mr Bishop accusing the West Australian retail giant of “not being properly informed of the facts” behind the Federal Court ruling.
“Your decision will lead to the closure of at least four outstanding Victorian businesses resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs at a time when Victoria is facing the significant economic impacts of the 2019-20 fires and COVID-19,” Ms Dawson wrote.
VicForests announced it would appeal the Federal Court ruling.
Mr Bishop said Bunnings would “remain open to sourcing from VicForests in the future”, should they attain Forest Stewardship Council Certification and avoid breaching the code.
MORE
‘No one knew it was coming’: Tongala cow abattoir shuts
The livestock industry and local community have reacted to Greenham’s closure of its Tongala cow processing plant.
Victorians want to feel guilt-free about eating meat
Research – to guide a Victorian Government-funded pro-agriculture campaign – has revealed how consumers feel about the state’s farmers and what issues need to be addressed.