News
31 October, 2024
Timber testing trial
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has completed a timber testing trial, investigating the best ways to implement technologies verifying claims of species and harvest origin of regulated timber and timber products.
Illegal logging is a major global issue, recognized as the most profitable form of transborder environmental crime, with severe impacts on climate, ecosystems, and communities.
Deputy Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry Policy, Matt Lowe, reported that an estimated 15-30% of all traded wood globally comes from illegal logging.
To combat this, Australia has been advancing timber testing technologies as part of its efforts under illegal logging prohibition laws.
These technologies allow for the verification of timber species and origin claims.
During a recent trial, 146 products were tested across 39 wood species, employing scientific methods such as DNA analysis, stable isotope, trace element, wood fiber, and wood anatomy analyses. Results indicated that around 25% of products tested had discrepancies with their declared species or origin.
Although not fully representative of the Australian market, these findings highlight a need for enhanced compliance to reduce the risk of illegal timber entering Australia.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry plans to assess trial recommendations and engage with industry stakeholders to improve regulatory efforts and support sustainable forestry practices.
For further details, you can visit the department's website on illegal logging policies: [agriculture.gov.au](http://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/forestry/policies/illegal-logging).
