HOBART - Anti-logging campaigners have met Labor's Environment Spokesman Peter Garrett in Hobart, calling on the ALP to protect Tasmania's sensitive forest areas if it wins the next federal election.
Members of the Huon Valley Environment Centre met Mr Garrett today to discuss what they say is the urgent need to protect places such as the Weld Valley from logging.
"Forest campaigners from the Huon Valley Environment Centre today met with federal shadow environment minister Peter Garrett, to express an urgent need to protect ancient and world heritage value forests in places like the Weld and Middle Huon valleys," the centre's spokeswoman Jenny Weber said.
"The federal Liberal Party sold out Tasmania's southern forests at the last (federal) election and logging has accelerated in wilderness areas such as the Weld Valley," she said.
Ms Weber said the major parties - Labor and Liberal - needed to take the issue of the impact of logging of environmentally sensitive areas seriously.
She said conservationists were also concerned about plans by Gunns Limited to build a $1.5 billion pulp mill in the state's north.
"We informed Mr Garrett that the fast-tracked pulp mill and ongoing export woodchipping will add extra pressure on the ancient southern forests," she said.
Mr Garrett has been meeting with conservationists and logging union representatives in Hobart this weekend to discuss forestry issues.
The ALP released its forestry policy in April, pledging to protect at least 60 per cent of Tasmania's old-growth forests, while still securing jobs.
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