PEFC complaint
Transcription
PEFC complaint
MyEnvironment Inc A0044084N P.O. Box 519 Healesville Victoria 3777 03 5962 3461 www.myenvironment.org.au Attention Dear Mr Ben Gunneberg PEFC Council Secretary General 29th March 2010 Re Complaint against: (i) Australian PEFC National Member – Australian Forestry Standard Pty Ltd – Kay Watts (ii) SAI Global Pty Ltd 1.0 Complaint Both Australian Forestry Standards Pty Ltd and SAI Global Pty Ltd have failed to follow their own complaint procedures. MyEnvironment Inc believe that there is a large amount of documented evidence which suggests major non conformances by VicForests over many years in relation to the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS). The AFS standard clearly states that that if a major non conformance is found that no certification can be awarded. This has been summarised in Section 2.0 Complaint background. Following guidance from JAS-ANZ MyEnvironment Inc attempted to meet with SAI Global to discuss our concerns in relation to the presence of major non-conformances and their issuing of AFS certification to VicForests. Despite acknowledgement by SAI Global that MyEnvironment Inc submitted a “customer complaint” to them on the 28th July 2010 SAI Global have refused to meet and have not given a valid reason. MyEnvironment Inc have also attempted to meet with Australian Forestry Standards Limited (AFS Limited) to discuss our concerns in relation to VicForests certification to AFS and SAI Global which has been met with no correspondence what so ever. Evidence of our attempts to arrange meetings with SAI Global and AFS Limited are detailed in Section 2 Evidence of Attempts to resolve the issue with SAI Global and AFS Limited. Always use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper MyEnvironment Inc A0044084N P.O. Box 519 Healesville Victoria 3777 03 5962 3461 www.myenvironment.org.au 2.0 Evidence of Attempts to resolve the issue with SAI Global and AFS Limited Attempts to Resolve the issue with SAI Global Date 21 June 2010 21 June 2010 28 June 2010 1st July 2010 13th July 2010 Correspondence Email sent to Sabrina Kerber – SAI Global - AFS auditor for VicForests outlining a range of concerns related to the certification of Vic forests Email sent to Susan Williams of JAS-ANZ requesting advice on how to address the issue Email sent to Alex Ezrakhovich highlighting our concerns and requesting a meeting to discuss. Email sent to Alex Ezrakhovich suggesting a meeting on the 13th July 2010 Received Email from David Crow incorrectly stating that MyEnvironment Inc had commenced an action against Vicforests in the Magistrates Court and are therefore unable to meet 14th July 2010 Emailed David and Alex clarification that we had not instigated the case but there was a case. 17th March 2011 MyEnvironment Inc has not received any further correspondence from SAI Global Result No response to date Attachments Susan suggested contacting Alex Ezrakhovich to table our concerns Appendix 2 Alex replied acknowledging the email as a customer complaint and suggested a meeting after 6th July with General Manager Australian Operations David Crow Alex replied back saying he would contact me next week Appendix 3 Appendix 4 Appendix 5 No meeting granted. This case was being brought by the Fauna and Flora Research collective – we clearly wanted to talk to SAI Global about a broad range of issues in relation to their auditing of VicForests and the AFS standard Appendix 6 Email back from Alex stating that we were not brining the action. It is clear from the first email that there were a broad range of issues needing discussion and we did not need to talk about issues related to the court case. Despite formally acknowledging our concerns as a customer complaint on the 28th June 2010 we have been refused any meeting to discuss our concerns. Always use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper MyEnvironment Inc A0044084N P.O. Box 519 Healesville Victoria 3777 03 5962 3461 www.myenvironment.org.au Attempts to resolve the issue with AFS Limited Date 4 Oct 2010 Correspondence Email sent to Kayt Watts CEO of AFS Limited highlighting concerns Result No response to date Attachments Appendix 7 4 Oct 2010 Email sent to Kayt Watts highlighting additional breaches and concerns and requesting that AFS certification be immediately withdrawn from VicForests. Email notifying Kayt Watts that VicForests is refusing to provide information for stakeholder review of their operations. Several phone messages were left on both the answering machine and with the secretary and none of these were returned. Email notifying Kay Watts that we have not received any conformation from AFS limited or SAI Global. This was followed up with at least half a dozen phone calls that would all go through to the secretary. No Response to date Appendix 8 No Response to date Appendix 10 Email notifying Kay Watts that we have not had a response from them No Response to date 4 Oct 2010 13 Oct 2010 13 Oct 2010 Appendix 11 When questioned why the CEO would not respond the secretary said that she was told to tell me that “Kayt had received the emails and that she was brining this up with VicForests and SAI Global and that there was no need for me to discuss any of the matters further with her.” I replied that this was totally un acceptable and asked her to get the CEO to call me immediately as this was a major failure in their stakeholder engagement. No Response to date Always use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Appendix 12 MyEnvironment Inc A0044084N P.O. Box 519 Healesville Victoria 3777 03 5962 3461 www.myenvironment.org.au Appendix 2 Always use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Adam Menary From: Sent: To: Subject: Susan Williams [[email protected]] Monday, 28 June 2010 10:48 AM [email protected] RE: SAI-GLOBAL, VicForests and AFS Hi Adam It was good to talk to you today. Just to confirm our discussion 1. You need to send a formal complaint to VicForests and SAI Global listing your concerns 2. Forward copies of the emails that you have sent to Sabrina to Alex Ezrakhovitch General Manager SAI Global [email protected] Kind Regards Sue Sue Williams Manager Learning and Development Phone: +64 (0)4 474 3348 Fax: +64 (0)4 474 3349 Mobile: +64 (0)21 369 264 Email: [email protected] www.jas-anz.org HELPING MARKETS WORK BETTER Subscribe to our e-newsletter To keep organisations updated on our work, JAS-ANZ publishes a regular e-newsletter. Click here for more information. This message may contain confidential or legally privileged information. Only the addressee has the right to use or disseminate this information. If you think it was sent to you by mistake, please delete all copies and advise the sender. From: Adam Menary [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 21 June 2010 10:13 To: Susan Williams Subject: SAI-GLOBAL, VicForests and AFS Dear Susan I would like to discuss the audits relating to VicForests accreditation to the AFS standard Please contact me on +61 3 5962 2157 or 0438636279 at your earliest convenience Kind Regards Adam Menary 1 PO Box 519 Healesville Vic 3777 [email protected] 03 59622157 This email has been scanned by McAfee prior to being sent for your protection and convenience. Please consider the environment before printing this email and if you must please use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. Scanned by the Netbox from Netbox Blue Scanned by the Netbox from Netbox Blue 2 MyEnvironment Inc A0044084N P.O. Box 519 Healesville Victoria 3777 03 5962 3461 www.myenvironment.org.au Appendix 3 Always use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Adam Menary From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Adam Menary [[email protected]] Thursday, 1 July 2010 9:43 AM 'Alex Ezrakhovich'; 'David Crow' 'sarah rees'; 'Susan Williams' RE: VicForests and AFS Hello Alex Thank you for your quick response We are fairly flexible on days after the 6th but would request that meetings are scheduled after 10:30 am Please let me know dates that suit you Today criminal action has been launched against VicForests for illegal logging activities http://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/green‐group‐in‐logging‐case‐bid‐20100630‐zmu4.html Kind Regards Adam Menary PO Box 519 Healesville Vic 3777 [email protected] 03 59622157 This email has been scanned by McAfee prior to being sent for your protection and convenience. Please consider the environment before printing this email and if you must please use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. From: Alex Ezrakhovich [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, 28 June 2010 3:27 PM To: [email protected]; David Crow Cc: sarah rees; Susan Williams Subject: RE: VicForests and AFS Importance: High 1 Dear Adam, Thank you for your email. I have sent it to appropriate staff in our Melbourne office and it will be treated as customer complaint. I am overseas now and will be happy to arrange meeting with you on my return – after the 6th of July. Please propose suitable date and communicate it to David Crow –General Manager Australian Operations. Regards, _______________________________ Alex Ezrakhovich General Manager - SAI Global Certification Services SAI Global GPO Box 5420 Sydney NSW 2001 286 Sussex Street Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: + 61 2 8206 6970 Cell: + 61 413 440164 Fax: + 61 2 8206 6012 www.saiglobal.com [email protected] From: Adam Menary [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, 28 June 2010 1:08 PM To: Alex Ezrakhovich Cc: sarah rees; Susan Williams Subject: VicForests and AFS Importance: High Dear Alex I have recently spoken with Sue Williams form JAS‐ANZ in relation to concerns that MyEnvironment Inc have in relation to the accreditation by VicForests to the AFS standard by SAI‐Global. We will be formally submitting these concerns to VicForersts and expect that they will be part of the next audit review at a whole of management level. I have previously sent the following to Sabrina Curber. I would appreciate a meeting to discuss our concerns with you in more detail. Dear Sabrina We have been submitting breaches to VicForests in relation to the AFS certification as fast as we can write them up and will start on breaches for East Gipsland, and the “whole of VicForests” management approach this week. We have brought a number of serious on the ground issues to the attention of Nathan Trushell (Director of Compliance) and he and Peter Appleford (Director of Forests) have requested a tour. We have a scientist finishing off a report that we believe will show that they have just logged zone 1 A Leadbeaters habitat in April this year (Victorias endangered faunal emblem). Our primary concern at the moment is that the AFS certification has been given to VicForests and is giving VicForests and their customers the right to make claims that the wood is coming from sustainably managed native forests. We believe that we have a strong case that shows that they are failing all 7 objectives of their sustainability charter. As the auditor we were wondering what SAI‐Globals position is on the following: 1. Regional Forest Agreements (RFA) and Forest Management Plans Despite being legislated to be reviewed every 5 years, none of the RFA’s have been reviewed in Victoria at either the 5 or 10 year point – A review has now been scheduled for mid 2010 but does this mean that the legislation has been invalid for the last 10 years. The forest management plans across Victoria are the key documents for updating management practices for managing sustainability and despite the requirement for them to be regularly reviewed have never been updated and are now out of date by 2‐4 years. Can an AFS certification be issued under such conditions? 2 2. Sustainability Reporting The State of the forest report is the mechanism by which the sustainability performance is measured however 2/3 of the data is missing from the last report. The other mechanism is third party auditing which has not taken place for three years and the scope and representativeness of audits prior to this have been questioned. Given the lack of public transparency we are concerned at the adequacy of VicForests own “report of operations” however, this only shows progress towards achieving objectives not performance. What criteria is SAI‐Global using to evaluate the performance of sustainability for accreditation to the AFS ? 3. The CAR reserve system The review or the CAR reserve is overdue and out of date especially following the bushfires again key legislation underpinning forestry and sustainability. Should this be considered in the AFS certification? 4. Regeneration and conversion If native forest is being clear felled and not regenerated then it is not a sustainable industry nor is it sustainable for biodiversity. The results from the Department of Sustainability and Environments Monitoring Annual Harvesting Performance 2007/2008 proves that logging in Victoria based on regeneration performance alone is unsustainable. Another aspect is that coupes that have laid fallow for over 3 years have limited capacity to regenerate with the biodiversity of the original native species. Fire breaks cut through national parks and state forest from 2007‐2010 have converted 600 km of forest into cleared land. This wood has been labelled with the AFS certification. This is a considerable component of the AFS certification and at what point does SAI‐Global consider non forest regeneration as land conversion? 3 Further more accreditation to the AFS since 2007 seems to be in contradiction to the EIAP review of the MAHP report: 5. Economic sustainability 4 The following captures have been taken from VicForests Annual report 2009 Economically VicForests made a 5 million dollar loss in 2009 - and closer to 10 million if you take out "other revenue" not from the sale of forest products such as 5.7 and 1.3 million dollars given in 2008, 2009 for bushfire recovery. Approximately 60% of the total revenues are coming from woodchips which is a low value commodity market that is not going to improve profits in the future 5 As an interested partie that works across the state of Victoria on forest issues particularly in relation to VicForests and forest certification we would like to be involved in the next audit to bring this issues to the attention of SAI‐ Global Could you please advise who we should speak with regarding this? Kind Regards Adam Menary PO Box 519 Healesville Vic 3777 [email protected] 03 59622157 This email has been scanned by McAfee prior to being sent for your protection and convenience. Please consider the environment before printing this email and if you must please use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. 6 MyEnvironment Inc A0044084N P.O. Box 519 Healesville Victoria 3777 03 5962 3461 www.myenvironment.org.au Appendix 4 Always use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Adam Menary From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Alex Ezrakhovich [[email protected]] Thursday, 1 July 2010 7:39 PM [email protected]; David Crow 'sarah rees'; 'Susan Williams' RE: VicForests and AFS - Meeting from the 13th Dear Adam, I will contact you next week. Regards, _______________________________ Alex Ezrakhovich General Manager - SAI Global Certification Services SAI Global GPO Box 5420 Sydney NSW 2001 286 Sussex Street Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: + 61 2 8206 6970 Cell: + 61 413 440164 Fax: + 61 2 8206 6012 www.saiglobal.com [email protected] From: Adam Menary [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, 1 July 2010 7:36 PM To: Alex Ezrakhovich; David Crow Cc: 'sarah rees'; 'Susan Williams' Subject: RE: VicForests and AFS - Meeting from the 13th Hello Alex Sorry i was out by a week – we would be available from the 13th after 10:30am Thank you for your quick response We are fairly flexible on days after the 13th but would request that meetings are scheduled after 10:30 am Please let me know dates that suit you Today criminal action has been launched against VicForests for illegal logging activities http://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/green‐group‐in‐logging‐case‐bid‐20100630‐zmu4.html Kind Regards Adam Menary PO Box 519 1 Healesville Vic 3777 [email protected] 03 59622157 This email has been scanned by McAfee prior to being sent for your protection and convenience. Please consider the environment before printing this email and if you must please use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. From: Alex Ezrakhovich [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, 28 June 2010 3:27 PM To: [email protected]; David Crow Cc: sarah rees; Susan Williams Subject: RE: VicForests and AFS Importance: High Dear Adam, Thank you for your email. I have sent it to appropriate staff in our Melbourne office and it will be treated as customer complaint. I am overseas now and will be happy to arrange meeting with you on my return – after the 6th of July. Please propose suitable date and communicate it to David Crow –General Manager Australian Operations. Regards, _______________________________ Alex Ezrakhovich General Manager - SAI Global Certification Services SAI Global GPO Box 5420 Sydney NSW 2001 286 Sussex Street Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: + 61 2 8206 6970 Cell: + 61 413 440164 Fax: + 61 2 8206 6012 www.saiglobal.com [email protected] From: Adam Menary [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, 28 June 2010 1:08 PM To: Alex Ezrakhovich Cc: sarah rees; Susan Williams Subject: VicForests and AFS Importance: High Dear Alex I have recently spoken with Sue Williams form JAS‐ANZ in relation to concerns that MyEnvironment Inc have in relation to the accreditation by VicForests to the AFS standard by SAI‐Global. We will be formally submitting these concerns to VicForersts and expect that they will be part of the next audit review at a whole of management level. I have previously sent the following to Sabrina Curber. I would appreciate a meeting to discuss our concerns with you in more detail. Dear Sabrina 2 We have been submitting breaches to VicForests in relation to the AFS certification as fast as we can write them up and will start on breaches for East Gipsland, and the “whole of VicForests” management approach this week. We have brought a number of serious on the ground issues to the attention of Nathan Trushell (Director of Compliance) and he and Peter Appleford (Director of Forests) have requested a tour. We have a scientist finishing off a report that we believe will show that they have just logged zone 1 A Leadbeaters habitat in April this year (Victorias endangered faunal emblem). Our primary concern at the moment is that the AFS certification has been given to VicForests and is giving VicForests and their customers the right to make claims that the wood is coming from sustainably managed native forests. We believe that we have a strong case that shows that they are failing all 7 objectives of their sustainability charter. As the auditor we were wondering what SAI‐Globals position is on the following: 1. Regional Forest Agreements (RFA) and Forest Management Plans Despite being legislated to be reviewed every 5 years, none of the RFA’s have been reviewed in Victoria at either the 5 or 10 year point – A review has now been scheduled for mid 2010 but does this mean that the legislation has been invalid for the last 10 years. The forest management plans across Victoria are the key documents for updating management practices for managing sustainability and despite the requirement for them to be regularly reviewed have never been updated and are now out of date by 2‐4 years. Can an AFS certification be issued under such conditions? 2. Sustainability Reporting The State of the forest report is the mechanism by which the sustainability performance is measured however 2/3 of the data is missing from the last report. The other mechanism is third party auditing which has not taken place for three years and the scope and representativeness of audits prior to this have been questioned. Given the lack of public transparency we are concerned at the adequacy of VicForests own “report of operations” however, this only shows progress towards achieving objectives not performance. What criteria is SAI‐Global using to evaluate the performance of sustainability for accreditation to the AFS ? 3. The CAR reserve system 3 The review or the CAR reserve is overdue and out of date especially following the bushfires again key legislation underpinning forestry and sustainability. Should this be considered in the AFS certification? 4. Regeneration and conversion If native forest is being clear felled and not regenerated then it is not a sustainable industry nor is it sustainable for biodiversity. The results from the Department of Sustainability and Environments Monitoring Annual Harvesting Performance 2007/2008 proves that logging in Victoria based on regeneration performance alone is unsustainable. Another aspect is that coupes that have laid fallow for over 3 years have limited capacity to regenerate with the biodiversity of the original native species. Fire breaks cut through national parks and state forest from 2007‐2010 have converted 600 km of forest into cleared land. This wood has been labelled with the AFS certification. This is a considerable component of the AFS certification and at what point does SAI‐Global consider non forest regeneration as land conversion? Further more accreditation to the AFS since 2007 seems to be in contradiction to the EIAP review of the MAHP report: 4 5. Economic sustainability The following captures have been taken from VicForests Annual report 2009 Economically VicForests made a 5 million dollar loss in 2009 - and closer to 10 million if you take out "other revenue" not from the sale of forest products such as 5.7 and 1.3 million dollars given in 2008, 2009 for bushfire recovery. Approximately 60% of the total revenues are coming from woodchips which is a low value commodity market that is not going to improve profits in the future 5 As an interested partie that works across the state of Victoria on forest issues particularly in relation to VicForests and forest certification we would like to be involved in the next audit to bring this issues to the attention of SAI‐ Global Could you please advise who we should speak with regarding this? Kind Regards 6 Adam Menary PO Box 519 Healesville Vic 3777 [email protected] 03 59622157 This email has been scanned by McAfee prior to being sent for your protection and convenience. Please consider the environment before printing this email and if you must please use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. 7 MyEnvironment Inc A0044084N P.O. Box 519 Healesville Victoria 3777 03 5962 3461 www.myenvironment.org.au Appendix 5 Always use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Adam Menary David Crow [[email protected]] Tuesday, 13 July 2010 9:52 PM [email protected] Alex Ezrakhovich Vic Forests From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Adam, Alex has spoken to me re your interest in meeting with us to discuss our client Vic Forests. I have been advised that you have commenced an action against Vic Forests in the Magistrates Court and as a result of that we will therefore be unable to meet with you. Regards _________________________________ David Crow General Manager Australian Assurance Assurance Services SAI Global 19-25 Raglan Street Locked Bag 90 South Melbourne VIC 3205 Phone: +61 3 9693 3550 Mobile: +61 413 444 633 Fax: +61 3 9696 1309 www.saiglobal.com Email: [email protected] 1 MyEnvironment Inc A0044084N P.O. Box 519 Healesville Victoria 3777 03 5962 3461 www.myenvironment.org.au Appendix 6 Always use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Adam Menary From: Sent: To: Subject: Adam Menary [[email protected]] Wednesday, 14 July 2010 2:32 PM 'Alex Ezrakhovich'; 'David Crow' RE: Vic Forests HI Alex Sorry if there has been some confusion – this is a true statement but its not being brought by MyEnvironment Inc Kind Regards Adam Menary PO Box 519 Healesville Vic 3777 [email protected] 03 59622157 This email has been scanned by McAfee prior to being sent for your protection and convenience. Please consider the environment before printing this email and if you must please use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. From: Alex Ezrakhovich [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, 14 July 2010 1:51 PM To: [email protected]; David Crow Subject: RE: Vic Forests Adam, The information came from you. See email below: From: Adam Menary [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, 1 July 2010 7:36 PM To: Alex Ezrakhovich; David Crow Cc: 'sarah rees'; 'Susan Williams' Subject: RE: VicForests and AFS - Meeting from the 13th Hello Alex 1 Sorry i was out by a week – we would be available from the 13th after 10:30am Thank you for your quick response We are fairly flexible on days after the 13th but would request that meetings are scheduled after 10:30 am Please let me know dates that suit you Today criminal action has been launched against VicForests for illegal logging activities http://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/green-group-in-logging-case-bid-20100630zmu4.html Kind Regards Adam Menary Regards, _______________________________ Alex Ezrakhovich General Manager - SAI Global Certification Services SAI Global GPO Box 5420 Sydney NSW 2001 286 Sussex Street Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: + 61 2 8206 6970 Cell: + 61 413 440164 Fax: + 61 2 8206 6012 www.saiglobal.com [email protected] From: Adam Menary [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, 14 July 2010 1:48 PM To: David Crow Cc: Alex Ezrakhovich Subject: RE: Vic Forests Hello David Not sure where you got that information from we have not instigated the case There is however a case Kind Regards Adam Menary PO Box 519 Healesville Vic 3777 2 [email protected] 03 59622157 This email has been scanned by McAfee prior to being sent for your protection and convenience. Please consider the environment before printing this email and if you must please use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. From: David Crow [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, 13 July 2010 9:52 PM To: [email protected] Cc: Alex Ezrakhovich Subject: Vic Forests Adam, Alex has spoken to me re your interest in meeting with us to discuss our client Vic Forests. I have been advised that you have commenced an action against Vic Forests in the Magistrates Court and as a result of that we will therefore be unable to meet with you. Regards _________________________________ David Crow General Manager Australian Assurance Assurance Services SAI Global 19-25 Raglan Street Locked Bag 90 South Melbourne VIC 3205 Phone: +61 3 9693 3550 Mobile: +61 413 444 633 Fax: +61 3 9696 1309 www.saiglobal.com Email: [email protected] 3 MyEnvironment Inc A0044084N P.O. Box 519 Healesville Victoria 3777 03 5962 3461 www.myenvironment.org.au Appendix 7 Always use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper From: sarah rees [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, 4 October 2010 2:47 PM To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected]; Susan Williams; Vanessa Bleyer; Luke Chamberlain; Chris Taylor Subject: SAI global at risk of negligent auditing - AFS linked with extinction Dear Kay Watts, Our organisation has been working on forest issues in relation to threatened species management and water for over a decade. Of late we have attempted to make contact with SAI Global to forward our research, and that of Australia's leading scientists, to advise of threats to arboreal mammals and water quantity and quality resultant of poor forestry practices. We have attempted to meet with SAI Global to raise a number of issues so as can be considered in the context of certification. This has been ignored as you will see in the attached emails. We wish to draw your attention to some new developments and the risk AFS now faces in light of new findings. Please read this weekends Age story to stimulate further thoughts on how the AFS is being awarded to a company procuring logs from endangered species habitat and that this process is leading to extinction. http://www.theage.com.au/environment/hello-possum-youre-an-emblem-ofextinction-20101001-1614u.html This article featuring in the Age newspaper provides strong scientific evidence of VicForests Central Highlands wood source links to extinction. AFS is certifying forestry linked to the extinction of Victoria's faunal emblem. This article establishes that forestry is leading to the extinction of species. The article focusses principally on Victoria's faunal emblem ; The Leadbeaters Possum. The Leadbeaters Possum is a globally recognised endangered species, it is a; British Zoological Society Edge species (No. 54), IUCN Red Listed species, federally listed EPBC Act endangered species, FFG Act endangered species and can claim 27 years of long-term monitoring to establish that ''Forestry is the key threatening process,'', stated by Eureka prize winning scientist from the Australian National University Prof. David Lindenmayer. Five sites surveyed recently by a scientific consultancy contained Leadbeaters Possum habitat. Four of the five are now logged . One site actually contained a Leadbeaters Possum monitoring site of the Australian National University. Further to this matter, a report by government, stated that logging in green forests and black forests would put endangered species at further risk. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team, containing of 60 scientists and specialists from the USA and under the guidance of Australian government specialists, flew to Victoria's Central Highlands to conduct assessments and establish remedial actions to mitigate the impacts of the fires in the Central Highlands. The following statement 'Critical Action Recommendations' resultant of the BAER report were underscored but ignored by forestry agencies. As a consequence wood flows have continued out of habitat that is considered 'critical' to endangered taxon. The attached link establishes the logging in critical habitat. Further evidence of endangered species logging and the logging of pre-1900 forests (unlawful) is under investigation by the state government and a report on this matter is being finalised - all of which is AFS certified. http://www.myenvironment.net.au/index.php/me/Our-work/Forests/Forest-Resources/BAERlogging-overlay CRITICAL ACTIONS: D. Management Recommendations – Non-Specification Related 4. The loss of large hollow bearing trees has been listed as a threatening process in the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988). As such, land managers are obliged to manage hollow resources sustainably. The preservation of as many of these trees as possible is crucial to the approximately 400 fauna species (Ambrose 1982) that depend on them, of which approximately 100 are listed as rare, threatened, or near-threatened in state or commonwealth endangered species legislation. For many of these species the use of hollows is obligate; no other habitat resource represents a feasible substitute (Gibbons and Lindenmayer 2002). Though there is an economic need to salvage log areas impacted by the fires, extreme care should be exercised in removing large hollow bearing trees from areas of the landscape. Salvage logging after the 1939 fires within the study area “contributed to a pronounced shortage of cavity trees for more than 40 species of vertebrates—a major biodiversity conservation problem that will take more than 200 years to rectify” (Lindenmayer et al. 1997 quoted in Lindenmayer and Noss 1996) It is recommended that none be removed from fire affected areas known to contain Leadbeater’s possum, powerful and sooty owls, and within Leadbeater’s possum reserves. The indirect effects of the fires will result in decreased cover and prey abundance and increased competition and predation. The mid-story canopy which provides habitat connectivity and allows arboreal mammals to move through forests has been lost. These impacts in conjunction with decreased numbers of hollow bearing trees per hectare in most forests types due to silviculture, firewood collection, die backs, grazing, and clearing (Gibbons and Lindenmayer 2002), could lead to significant negative effects. Further loss of a critical habitat component, such as hollow bearing trees, will decrease the chances of survival and persistence of these species in many areas. In general, salvage logging in less sensitive areas should be well planned to minimize decreases in large hollow bearing tree density. Surveys prior to harvest should be conducted to identify large hollow bearing trees to be left standing. The number of trees/ha should strictly follow prescriptions in the Fire Salvage Harvesting Prescriptions (2008). During salvage operations surveys should be conducted to ensure prescriptions are being followed and regulations are enforced. Given the extent of the three large fires in the past six years and the significant reduction in available hollows amongst appropriate habitat/food resources and the subsequent threat this presents to hollow dependant species, further consideration should be given to increasing the number of large trees/Ha retained as part of fire salvage harvesting prescriptions. The reduction of available log volumes must not be supplemented from other logging areas, rather the volumes must be reduced to reflect the overall depletion of the timber resource and habitat resource. Logging license volumes must be reviewed and if necessary reduced to reflect the decreased availability of suitable saw logs as a result of the three large fires in the past six years. Linking unburned patches and areas of low intensity fire should be made a high priority to enable fauna dispersal and re-colonization. Threats to habitat corridors should also be identified and mitigated in order to improve movement among habitat types and populations of individuals. Identification of major wildlife corridors should be made based in priority order on, unburned areas within the current reserve system (National Parks and Leadbeater’s Possum Reserves), unburned areas of mountain and alpine ash, areas of low intensity fires, riparian corridors, and areas with moderate to severe intensity vegetation mortality which link the remaining green areas Australian Paper, Gunns and Midway exports have been the principle recipients of this wood supply. Please see photo for a quick example of the log hauling of hollow bearing forest, taken in October 2009. We have a growing mountain of evidence from studies and stumps to verify that VicForest is continuing to log hollow bearing and pre 1900 tree's despite recommendations. The latest findings have also linked VicForests to the logging of water catchments to the detriment of water quality in supply catchments to Melbourne and the Goulburn. The Board of the National Health and Medical Research Council are receiving a report on this and we will bring this to the AFS meeting. This matter is of the utmost seriousness and requires immediate action by SAI Global, JASANZ and AFS. Yours Kindly, Sarah Rees Executive Director MyEnvironment Inc [email protected] Suite 3, 5 Church Street Healesville 3777 P 03 5962 3461 F 03 5962 1958 M 0438 368870 Always print on 100% post consumer waste, recycled paper. Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. MyEnvironment Inc A0044084N P.O. Box 519 Healesville Victoria 3777 03 5962 3461 www.myenvironment.org.au Appendix 8 Always use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Adam Menary From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Adam Menary [[email protected]] Monday, 4 October 2010 4:04 PM '[email protected]' 'Susan Williams'; 'Vanessa Bleyer'; 'Luke Chamberlain'; 'Chris Taylor'; 'sarah rees' RE: Alleged Breaches by VicForests to AFS Certification Dear Kayt The following table is a list of alleged breaches by VicForests in relation to the; Central Highlands Forest Management Plan Code of Forest Practice AFS certification These alleged breaches are currently under investigation by the Department of Sustainability and Environment. Please find details below with links to specific details of each alleged breach for your review. Updated 16‐Sep‐10 Date Contact person Alleged Breach # Details of information request or alleged breaches submitted 15/06/2010 Nathan Trushell 201 Breach 201 Stream Logging coupe 300‐901‐0008 15/06/2010 Nathan Trushell 202 Breach 202 Proposed logging of old growth 16/06/2010 Nathan Trushell 203 Breach 203 proposed logging of Leadbeaters habitat 16/06/2010 Nathan Trushell 204 Breach 204 Logging of pre 1900 tree 16/06/2010 Nathan Trushell 206 Breach 206 logging of pre 1900 tree 17/06/2010 Nathan Trushell 208 Alleged breach 208 landing operations and hauling in wet weather 17/06/2010 Nathan Trushell 209 Alleged breach 209 logging of pre 1900 tree 31/08/2010 Nathan Trushell 502 Alleged Breach 0502 Failure re Sustainability Charter Objective 2 15/09/2010 Nathan Trushell 207 Alleged Breach 0207 Logging of Leadbeaters Zone 1A habitat Regarding the Brown Mountain case could AFS Limited please provide MyEnvironment inc with a summary, in terms of how the AFS certification was breached by VicForests and what affect this will have on VicForets certification? Could AFS Limited please provide MyEnvironment Inc with a summary of what the affect on AFS certification would be, if it was shown that a company certified to AFS was found to be logging Endangered Leadbeaters possum habitat in several regions over several years? In the above table alleged breaches in the 2xx range are individual cases. Whereas, alleged breaches in the 5xx range are considered to have a higher risk profile and demonstrate that there is allegedly ongoing management prescription failures in relation to AFS. In relation to alleged breach 502 “We believe that based on these breaches the previous and current certification of VicForests’ timber under the AFS is invalid and we request that AFS certification be immediately withdrawn. We also request that no further certification be awarded until such time as VicForests can demonstrate that its forest regeneration is “effective and timely” as required by the standard.” 1 We look forward to your response on these issues at your earliest convenience. Regards Adam Menary PO Box 519 Healesville Vic 3777 [email protected] 03 59622157 This email has been scanned by McAfee prior to being sent for your protection and convenience. Please consider the environment before printing this email and if you must please use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. From: sarah rees [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, 4 October 2010 2:47 PM To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected]; Susan Williams; Vanessa Bleyer; Luke Chamberlain; Chris Taylor Subject: SAI global at risk of negligent auditing - AFS linked with extinction Dear Kay Watts, Our organisation has been working on forest issues in relation to threatened species management and water for over a decade. Of late we have attempted to make contact with SAI Global to forward our research, and that of Australia's leading scientists, to advise of threats to arboreal mammals and water quantity and quality resultant of poor forestry practices. We have attempted to meet with SAI Global to raise a number of issues so as can be considered in the context of certification. This has been ignored as you will see in the attached emails. We wish to draw your attention to some new developments and the risk AFS now faces in light of new findings. Please read this weekends Age story to stimulate further thoughts on how the AFS is being awarded to a company procuring logs from endangered species habitat and that this process is leading to extinction. http://www.theage.com.au/environment/hello-possum-youre-an-emblem-ofextinction-20101001-1614u.html 2 This article featuring in the Age newspaper provides strong scientific evidence of VicForests Central Highlands wood source links to extinction. AFS is certifying forestry linked to the extinction of Victoria's faunal emblem. This article establishes that forestry is leading to the extinction of species. The article focusses principally on Victoria's faunal emblem ; The Leadbeaters Possum. The Leadbeaters Possum is a globally recognised endangered species, it is a; British Zoological Society Edge species (No. 54), IUCN Red Listed species, federally listed EPBC Act endangered species, FFG Act endangered species and can claim 27 years of long-term monitoring to establish that ''Forestry is the key threatening process,'', stated by Eureka prize winning scientist from the Australian National University Prof. David Lindenmayer. Five sites surveyed recently by a scientific consultancy contained Leadbeaters Possum habitat. Four of the five are now logged . One site actually contained a Leadbeaters Possum monitoring site of the Australian National University. Further to this matter, a report by government, stated that logging in green forests and black forests would put endangered species at further risk. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team, containing of 60 scientists and specialists from the USA and under the guidance of Australian government specialists, flew to Victoria's Central Highlands to conduct assessments and establish remedial actions to mitigate the impacts of the fires in the Central Highlands. The following statement 'Critical Action Recommendations' resultant of the BAER report were underscored but ignored by forestry agencies. As a consequence wood flows have continued out of habitat that is considered 'critical' to endangered taxon. The attached link establishes the logging in critical habitat. Further evidence of endangered species logging and the logging of pre-1900 forests (unlawful) is under investigation by the state government and a report on this matter is being finalised - all of which is AFS certified. http://www.myenvironment.net.au/index.php/me/Our-work/Forests/Forest-Resources/BAER-loggingoverlay CRITICAL ACTIONS: D. Management Recommendations – Non-Specification Related 4. The loss of large hollow bearing trees has been listed as a threatening process in the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988). As such, land managers are obliged to manage hollow resources sustainably. The preservation of as many of these trees as possible is crucial to the approximately 400 fauna species (Ambrose 1982) that depend on them, of which approximately 100 are listed as rare, threatened, or near-threatened in state or commonwealth endangered species legislation. For many of these species the use of hollows is obligate; no other habitat resource represents a feasible substitute (Gibbons and Lindenmayer 2002). Though there is an economic need to salvage log areas impacted by the fires, extreme care should be exercised in removing large hollow bearing trees from areas of the landscape. Salvage logging after the 1939 fires within the study area “contributed to a pronounced shortage of cavity trees for more than 40 species of vertebrates—a major biodiversity conservation problem that will take more than 200 years to rectify” (Lindenmayer et al. 1997 quoted in Lindenmayer and Noss 1996) It is recommended that none be removed from fire affected areas known to contain Leadbeater’s possum, powerful and sooty owls, and within Leadbeater’s possum reserves. The indirect effects of the fires will result in decreased cover and prey abundance and increased competition and predation. The mid-story canopy which provides habitat connectivity and allows arboreal mammals to move through forests has been lost. These impacts in conjunction with decreased 3 numbers of hollow bearing trees per hectare in most forests types due to silviculture, firewood collection, die backs, grazing, and clearing (Gibbons and Lindenmayer 2002), could lead to significant negative effects. Further loss of a critical habitat component, such as hollow bearing trees, will decrease the chances of survival and persistence of these species in many areas. In general, salvage logging in less sensitive areas should be well planned to minimize decreases in large hollow bearing tree density. Surveys prior to harvest should be conducted to identify large hollow bearing trees to be left standing. The number of trees/ha should strictly follow prescriptions in the Fire Salvage Harvesting Prescriptions (2008). During salvage operations surveys should be conducted to ensure prescriptions are being followed and regulations are enforced. Given the extent of the three large fires in the past six years and the significant reduction in available hollows amongst appropriate habitat/food resources and the subsequent threat this presents to hollow dependant species, further consideration should be given to increasing the number of large trees/Ha retained as part of fire salvage harvesting prescriptions. The reduction of available log volumes must not be supplemented from other logging areas, rather the volumes must be reduced to reflect the overall depletion of the timber resource and habitat resource. Logging license volumes must be reviewed and if necessary reduced to reflect the decreased availability of suitable saw logs as a result of the three large fires in the past six years. Linking unburned patches and areas of low intensity fire should be made a high priority to enable fauna dispersal and re-colonization. Threats to habitat corridors should also be identified and mitigated in order to improve movement among habitat types and populations of individuals. Identification of major wildlife corridors should be made based in priority order on, unburned areas within the current reserve system (National Parks and Leadbeater’s Possum Reserves), unburned areas of mountain and alpine ash, areas of low intensity fires, riparian corridors, and areas with moderate to severe intensity vegetation mortality which link the remaining green areas Australian Paper, Gunns and Midway exports have been the principle recipients of this wood supply. 4 Please see photo for a quick example of the log hauling of hollow bearing forest, taken in October 2009. We have a growing mountain of evidence from studies and stumps to verify that VicForest is continuing to log hollow bearing and pre 1900 tree's despite recommendations. The latest findings have also linked VicForests to the logging of water catchments to the detriment of water quality in supply catchments to Melbourne and the Goulburn. The Board of the National Health and Medical Research Council are receiving a report on this and we will bring this to the AFS meeting. This matter is of the utmost seriousness and requires immediate action by SAI Global, JAS-ANZ and AFS. Yours Kindly, Sarah Rees Executive Director MyEnvironment Inc [email protected] Suite 3, 5 Church Street Healesville 3777 5 P 03 5962 3461 F 03 5962 1958 M 0438 368870 Always print on 100% post consumer waste, recycled paper. Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. On 01/07/2010, at 7:38 PM, Alex Ezrakhovich wrote: Dear Adam, I will contact you next week. Regards, _______________________________ Alex Ezrakhovich General Manager - SAI Global Certification Services SAI Global GPO Box 5420 Sydney NSW 2001 286 Sussex Street Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: + 61 2 8206 6970 Cell: + 61 413 440164 Fax: + 61 2 8206 6012 www.saiglobal.com [email protected] From: Adam Menary [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, 1 July 2010 7:36 PM To: Alex Ezrakhovich; David Crow Cc: 'sarah rees'; 'Susan Williams' Subject: RE: VicForests and AFS - Meeting from the 13th Hello Alex Sorry i was out by a week – we would be available from the 13th after 10:30am Thank you for your quick response We are fairly flexible on days after the 13th but would request that meetings are scheduled after 10:30 am Please let me know dates that suit you Today criminal action has been launched against VicForests for illegal logging activities http://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/green‐group‐in‐logging‐case‐bid‐20100630‐zmu4.html Kind Regards 6 Adam Menary <image001.png> PO Box 519 Healesville Vic 3777 [email protected] 03 59622157 This email has been scanned by McAfee prior to being sent for your protection and convenience. Please consider the environment before printing this email and if you must please use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. From: Alex Ezrakhovich [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, 28 June 2010 3:27 PM To: [email protected]; David Crow Cc: sarah rees; Susan Williams Subject: RE: VicForests and AFS Importance: High Dear Adam, Thank you for your email. I have sent it to appropriate staff in our Melbourne office and it will be treated as customer complaint. I am overseas now and will be happy to arrange meeting with you on my return – after the 6th of July. Please propose suitable date and communicate it to David Crow –General Manager Australian Operations. Regards, _______________________________ Alex Ezrakhovich General Manager - SAI Global Certification Services SAI Global GPO Box 5420 Sydney NSW 2001 286 Sussex Street Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: + 61 2 8206 6970 Cell: + 61 413 440164 Fax: + 61 2 8206 6012 www.saiglobal.com [email protected] From: Adam Menary [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, 28 June 2010 1:08 PM To: Alex Ezrakhovich Cc: sarah rees; Susan Williams Subject: VicForests and AFS Importance: High Dear Alex I have recently spoken with Sue Williams form JAS‐ANZ in relation to concerns that MyEnvironment Inc have in relation to the accreditation by VicForests to the AFS standard by SAI‐Global. We will be formally submitting these concerns to VicForersts and expect that they will be part of the next audit review at a whole of management level. I have previously sent the following to Sabrina Curber. I would appreciate a meeting to discuss our concerns with you in more detail. 7 Dear Sabrina We have been submitting breaches to VicForests in relation to the AFS certification as fast as we can write them up and will start on breaches for East Gipsland, and the “whole of VicForests” management approach this week. We have brought a number of serious on the ground issues to the attention of Nathan Trushell (Director of Compliance) and he and Peter Appleford (Director of Forests) have requested a tour. We have a scientist finishing off a report that we believe will show that they have just logged zone 1 A Leadbeaters habitat in April this year (Victorias endangered faunal emblem). Our primary concern at the moment is that the AFS certification has been given to VicForests and is giving VicForests and their customers the right to make claims that the wood is coming from sustainably managed native forests. We believe that we have a strong case that shows that they are failing all 7 objectives of their sustainability charter. As the auditor we were wondering what SAI‐Globals position is on the following: 1. Regional Forest Agreements (RFA) and Forest Management Plans Despite being legislated to be reviewed every 5 years, none of the RFA’s have been reviewed in Victoria at either the 5 or 10 year point – A review has now been scheduled for mid 2010 but does this mean that the legislation has been invalid for the last 10 years. The forest management plans across Victoria are the key documents for updating management practices for managing sustainability and despite the requirement for them to be regularly reviewed have never been updated and are now out of date by 2‐4 years. Can an AFS certification be issued under such conditions? 2. Sustainability Reporting The State of the forest report is the mechanism by which the sustainability performance is measured however 2/3 of the data is missing from the last report. The other mechanism is third party auditing which has not taken place for three years and the scope and representativeness of audits prior to this have been questioned. Given the lack of public transparency we are concerned at the adequacy of VicForests own “report of operations” however, this only shows progress towards achieving objectives not performance. What criteria is SAI‐Global using to evaluate the performance of sustainability for accreditation to the AFS ? <image002.png> 3. The CAR reserve system The review or the CAR reserve is overdue and out of date especially following the bushfires again key legislation underpinning forestry and sustainability. Should this be considered in the AFS certification? 4. Regeneration and conversion If native forest is being clear felled and not regenerated then it is not a sustainable industry nor is it sustainable for biodiversity. The results from the Department of Sustainability and Environments Monitoring Annual Harvesting Performance 2007/2008 proves that logging in Victoria based on regeneration performance alone is unsustainable. Another aspect is that coupes that have laid fallow for over 3 years have limited capacity to regenerate with the biodiversity of the original native species. Fire breaks cut through national parks and state forest from 2007‐2010 have converted 600 km of forest into cleared land. This wood has been labelled with the AFS certification. This is a considerable component of the AFS certification and at what point does SAI‐Global consider non forest regeneration as land conversion? <image003.png> Further more accreditation to the AFS since 2007 seems to be in contradiction to the EIAP review of the MAHP report: <image004.png> 8 5. Economic sustainability The following captures have been taken from VicForests Annual report 2009 Economically VicForests made a 5 million dollar loss in 2009 - and closer to 10 million if you take out "other revenue" not from the sale of forest products such as 5.7 and 1.3 million dollars given in 2008, 2009 for bushfire recovery. Approximately 60% of the total revenues are coming from woodchips which is a low value commodity market that is not going to improve profits in the future <image005.png> As an interested partie that works across the state of Victoria on forest issues particularly in relation to VicForests and forest certification we would like to be involved in the next audit to bring this issues to the attention of SAI‐ Global Could you please advise who we should speak with regarding this? Kind Regards Adam Menary <image001.png> PO Box 519 Healesville Vic 3777 [email protected] 03 59622157 This email has been scanned by McAfee prior to being sent for your protection and convenience. Please consider the environment before printing this email and if you must please use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. 9 MyEnvironment Inc A0044084N P.O. Box 519 Healesville Victoria 3777 03 5962 3461 www.myenvironment.org.au Appendix 10 Always use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Adam Menary From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Adam Menary [[email protected]] Monday, 4 October 2010 5:34 PM '[email protected]' Nathan Trushell ([email protected]); sarah rees Inability to act as a stakeholder in AFS process Dear Kayt Watts As stakeholders in the AFS process MyEnvironment Inc would like to conduct some pre logging surveys in the Central Highlands. As highlighted in my previous email to Nathan Trushell at VicForests MyEnvironment Inc have been requesting some basic coupe scheduling information from VicForests for over 3 months and to date we have not been provided with this information. Could you please provide MyEnvironment Inc with AFS Limited’s position on whether this lack of provision of basic information to allow MyEnvironment Inc to be meaningful stakeholders is in keeping with the requirements of the AFS certification? Please advise what we should do from here? Kind Regards Adam Menary PO Box 519 Healesville Vic 3777 [email protected] 03 59622157 This email has been scanned by McAfee prior to being sent for your protection and convenience. Please consider the environment before printing this email and if you must please use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. 1 MyEnvironment Inc A0044084N P.O. Box 519 Healesville Victoria 3777 03 5962 3461 www.myenvironment.org.au Appendix 11 Always use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Adam Menary From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Adam Menary [[email protected]] Wednesday, 13 October 2010 9:59 AM '[email protected]' sarah rees; 'Vanessa Bleyer' Inability to act as a stakeholder in AFS process Dear Kayt Watts (CEO AFS Limited) As per my previous email this email was sent to you on the 4th of October could you please provide acknowledgement of receipt of this email and an indication of when you will respond the questions raised in this email? Adam Menary Dear Kayt Watts As stakeholders in the AFS process MyEnvironment Inc would like to conduct some pre logging surveys in the Central Highlands. As highlighted in my previous email to Nathan Trushell at VicForests MyEnvironment Inc have been requesting some basic coupe scheduling information from VicForests for over 3 months and to date we have not been provided with this information. Could you please provide MyEnvironment Inc with AFS Limited’s position on whether this lack of provision of basic information to allow MyEnvironment Inc to be meaningful stakeholders is in keeping with the requirements of the AFS certification? Please advise what we should do from here? Kind Regards Adam Menary PO Box 519 Healesville Vic 3777 [email protected] 03 59622157 This email has been scanned by McAfee prior to being sent for your protection and convenience. Please consider the environment before printing this email and if you must please use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper 1 Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. 2 MyEnvironment Inc A0044084N P.O. Box 519 Healesville Victoria 3777 03 5962 3461 www.myenvironment.org.au Appendix 12 Always use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Adam Menary From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Adam Menary [[email protected]] Wednesday, 13 October 2010 9:56 AM '[email protected]' 'Susan Williams'; 'Vanessa Bleyer'; 'Luke Chamberlain'; 'Chris Taylor'; 'sarah rees' RE: Alleged Breaches by VicForests to AFS Certification Dear Kayt We have not received confirmation from AFS Limited that you have received the following email sent on the 4th of October 2010. Could you please send acknowledgement of the receipt of this email at your earliest convenience? Please advise a date when you will be able to respond to the questions raised in the email? Thank you Adam Menary ........ The following table is a list of alleged breaches by VicForests in relation to the; Central Highlands Forest Management Plan Code of Forest Practice AFS certification These alleged breaches are currently under investigation by the Department of Sustainability and Environment. Please find details below with links to specific details of each alleged breach for your review. Updated 16‐Sep‐10 Date Contact person Alleged Breach # Details of information request or alleged breaches submitted 15/06/2010 Nathan Trushell 201 Breach 201 Stream Logging coupe 300‐901‐0008 15/06/2010 Nathan Trushell 202 Breach 202 Proposed logging of old growth 16/06/2010 Nathan Trushell 203 Breach 203 proposed logging of Leadbeaters habitat 16/06/2010 Nathan Trushell 204 Breach 204 Logging of pre 1900 tree 16/06/2010 Nathan Trushell 206 Breach 206 logging of pre 1900 tree 17/06/2010 Nathan Trushell 208 Alleged breach 208 landing operations and hauling in wet weather 17/06/2010 Nathan Trushell 209 Alleged breach 209 logging of pre 1900 tree 31/08/2010 Nathan Trushell 502 Alleged Breach 0502 Failure re Sustainability Charter Objective 2 15/09/2010 Nathan Trushell 207 Alleged Breach 0207 Logging of Leadbeaters Zone 1A habitat Regarding the Brown Mountain case could AFS Limited please provide MyEnvironment inc with a summary, in terms of how the AFS certification was breached by VicForests and what affect this will have on VicForets certification? 1 Could AFS Limited please provide MyEnvironment Inc with a summary of what the affect on AFS certification would be, if it was shown that a company certified to AFS was found to be logging Endangered Leadbeaters possum habitat in several regions over several years? In the above table alleged breaches in the 2xx range are individual cases. Whereas, alleged breaches in the 5xx range are considered to have a higher risk profile and demonstrate that there is allegedly ongoing management prescription failures in relation to AFS. In relation to alleged breach 502 “We believe that based on these breaches the previous and current certification of VicForests’ timber under the AFS is invalid and we request that AFS certification be immediately withdrawn. We also request that no further certification be awarded until such time as VicForests can demonstrate that its forest regeneration is “effective and timely” as required by the standard.” We look forward to your response on these issues at your earliest convenience. Regards Adam Menary PO Box 519 Healesville Vic 3777 [email protected] 03 59622157 This email has been scanned by McAfee prior to being sent for your protection and convenience. Please consider the environment before printing this email and if you must please use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. From: sarah rees [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, 4 October 2010 2:47 PM To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected]; Susan Williams; Vanessa Bleyer; Luke Chamberlain; Chris Taylor Subject: SAI global at risk of negligent auditing - AFS linked with extinction Dear Kay Watts, Our organisation has been working on forest issues in relation to threatened species management and water for over a decade. Of late we have attempted to make contact with SAI Global to forward our research, and that of Australia's leading scientists, to advise of threats to arboreal mammals and water quantity and quality resultant of poor forestry practices. We have attempted to meet with SAI Global to raise a number of issues 2 so as can be considered in the context of certification. This has been ignored as you will see in the attached emails. We wish to draw your attention to some new developments and the risk AFS now faces in light of new findings. Please read this weekends Age story to stimulate further thoughts on how the AFS is being awarded to a company procuring logs from endangered species habitat and that this process is leading to extinction. http://www.theage.com.au/environment/hello-possum-youre-an-emblem-ofextinction-20101001-1614u.html This article featuring in the Age newspaper provides strong scientific evidence of VicForests Central Highlands wood source links to extinction. AFS is certifying forestry linked to the extinction of Victoria's faunal emblem. This article establishes that forestry is leading to the extinction of species. The article focusses principally on Victoria's faunal emblem ; The Leadbeaters Possum. The Leadbeaters Possum is a globally recognised endangered species, it is a; British Zoological Society Edge species (No. 54), IUCN Red Listed species, federally listed EPBC Act endangered species, FFG Act endangered species and can claim 27 years of long-term monitoring to establish that ''Forestry is the key threatening process,'', stated by Eureka prize winning scientist from the Australian National University Prof. David Lindenmayer. Five sites surveyed recently by a scientific consultancy contained Leadbeaters Possum habitat. Four of the five are now logged . One site actually contained a Leadbeaters Possum monitoring site of the Australian National University. Further to this matter, a report by government, stated that logging in green forests and black forests would put endangered species at further risk. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team, containing of 60 scientists and specialists from the USA and under the guidance of Australian government specialists, flew to Victoria's Central Highlands to conduct assessments and establish remedial actions to mitigate the impacts of the fires in the Central Highlands. The following statement 'Critical Action Recommendations' resultant of the BAER report were underscored but ignored by forestry agencies. As a consequence wood flows have continued out of habitat that is considered 'critical' to endangered taxon. The attached link establishes the logging in critical habitat. Further evidence of endangered species logging and the logging of pre-1900 forests (unlawful) is under investigation by the state government and a report on this matter is being finalised - all of which is AFS certified. http://www.myenvironment.net.au/index.php/me/Our-work/Forests/Forest-Resources/BAER-loggingoverlay CRITICAL ACTIONS: D. Management Recommendations – Non-Specification Related 4. The loss of large hollow bearing trees has been listed as a threatening process in the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988). As such, land managers are obliged to manage hollow resources sustainably. The preservation of as many of these trees as possible is crucial to the approximately 400 fauna species (Ambrose 1982) that depend on them, of which approximately 100 are listed as rare, threatened, or near-threatened in state or commonwealth endangered species legislation. For many of these species the use of hollows is obligate; no other habitat 3 resource represents a feasible substitute (Gibbons and Lindenmayer 2002). Though there is an economic need to salvage log areas impacted by the fires, extreme care should be exercised in removing large hollow bearing trees from areas of the landscape. Salvage logging after the 1939 fires within the study area “contributed to a pronounced shortage of cavity trees for more than 40 species of vertebrates—a major biodiversity conservation problem that will take more than 200 years to rectify” (Lindenmayer et al. 1997 quoted in Lindenmayer and Noss 1996) It is recommended that none be removed from fire affected areas known to contain Leadbeater’s possum, powerful and sooty owls, and within Leadbeater’s possum reserves. The indirect effects of the fires will result in decreased cover and prey abundance and increased competition and predation. The mid-story canopy which provides habitat connectivity and allows arboreal mammals to move through forests has been lost. These impacts in conjunction with decreased numbers of hollow bearing trees per hectare in most forests types due to silviculture, firewood collection, die backs, grazing, and clearing (Gibbons and Lindenmayer 2002), could lead to significant negative effects. Further loss of a critical habitat component, such as hollow bearing trees, will decrease the chances of survival and persistence of these species in many areas. In general, salvage logging in less sensitive areas should be well planned to minimize decreases in large hollow bearing tree density. Surveys prior to harvest should be conducted to identify large hollow bearing trees to be left standing. The number of trees/ha should strictly follow prescriptions in the Fire Salvage Harvesting Prescriptions (2008). During salvage operations surveys should be conducted to ensure prescriptions are being followed and regulations are enforced. Given the extent of the three large fires in the past six years and the significant reduction in available hollows amongst appropriate habitat/food resources and the subsequent threat this presents to hollow dependant species, further consideration should be given to increasing the number of large trees/Ha retained as part of fire salvage harvesting prescriptions. The reduction of available log volumes must not be supplemented from other logging areas, rather the volumes must be reduced to reflect the overall depletion of the timber resource and habitat resource. Logging license volumes must be reviewed and if necessary reduced to reflect the decreased availability of suitable saw logs as a result of the three large fires in the past six years. Linking unburned patches and areas of low intensity fire should be made a high priority to enable fauna dispersal and re-colonization. Threats to habitat corridors should also be identified and mitigated in order to improve movement among habitat types and populations of individuals. Identification of major wildlife corridors should be made based in priority order on, unburned areas within the current reserve system (National Parks and Leadbeater’s Possum Reserves), unburned areas of mountain and alpine ash, areas of low intensity fires, riparian corridors, and areas with moderate to severe intensity vegetation mortality which link the remaining green areas Australian Paper, Gunns and Midway exports have been the principle recipients of this wood supply. 4 Please see photo for a quick example of the log hauling of hollow bearing forest, taken in October 2009. We have a growing mountain of evidence from studies and stumps to verify that VicForest is continuing to log hollow bearing and pre 1900 tree's despite recommendations. The latest findings have also linked VicForests to the logging of water catchments to the detriment of water quality in supply catchments to Melbourne and the Goulburn. The Board of the National Health and Medical Research Council are receiving a report on this and we will bring this to the AFS meeting. This matter is of the utmost seriousness and requires immediate action by SAI Global, JAS-ANZ and AFS. Yours Kindly, Sarah Rees Executive Director MyEnvironment Inc [email protected] Suite 3, 5 Church Street Healesville 3777 P 03 5962 3461 5 F 03 5962 1958 M 0438 368870 Always print on 100% post consumer waste, recycled paper. Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. On 01/07/2010, at 7:38 PM, Alex Ezrakhovich wrote: Dear Adam, I will contact you next week. Regards, _______________________________ Alex Ezrakhovich General Manager - SAI Global Certification Services SAI Global GPO Box 5420 Sydney NSW 2001 286 Sussex Street Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: + 61 2 8206 6970 Cell: + 61 413 440164 Fax: + 61 2 8206 6012 www.saiglobal.com [email protected] From: Adam Menary [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, 1 July 2010 7:36 PM To: Alex Ezrakhovich; David Crow Cc: 'sarah rees'; 'Susan Williams' Subject: RE: VicForests and AFS - Meeting from the 13th Hello Alex Sorry i was out by a week – we would be available from the 13th after 10:30am Thank you for your quick response We are fairly flexible on days after the 13th but would request that meetings are scheduled after 10:30 am Please let me know dates that suit you Today criminal action has been launched against VicForests for illegal logging activities http://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/green‐group‐in‐logging‐case‐bid‐20100630‐zmu4.html Kind Regards Adam Menary 6 <image001.png> PO Box 519 Healesville Vic 3777 [email protected] 03 59622157 This email has been scanned by McAfee prior to being sent for your protection and convenience. Please consider the environment before printing this email and if you must please use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. From: Alex Ezrakhovich [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, 28 June 2010 3:27 PM To: [email protected]; David Crow Cc: sarah rees; Susan Williams Subject: RE: VicForests and AFS Importance: High Dear Adam, Thank you for your email. I have sent it to appropriate staff in our Melbourne office and it will be treated as customer complaint. I am overseas now and will be happy to arrange meeting with you on my return – after the 6th of July. Please propose suitable date and communicate it to David Crow –General Manager Australian Operations. Regards, _______________________________ Alex Ezrakhovich General Manager - SAI Global Certification Services SAI Global GPO Box 5420 Sydney NSW 2001 286 Sussex Street Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: + 61 2 8206 6970 Cell: + 61 413 440164 Fax: + 61 2 8206 6012 www.saiglobal.com [email protected] From: Adam Menary [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, 28 June 2010 1:08 PM To: Alex Ezrakhovich Cc: sarah rees; Susan Williams Subject: VicForests and AFS Importance: High Dear Alex I have recently spoken with Sue Williams form JAS‐ANZ in relation to concerns that MyEnvironment Inc have in relation to the accreditation by VicForests to the AFS standard by SAI‐Global. We will be formally submitting these concerns to VicForersts and expect that they will be part of the next audit review at a whole of management level. I have previously sent the following to Sabrina Curber. I would appreciate a meeting to discuss our concerns with you in more detail. Dear Sabrina 7 We have been submitting breaches to VicForests in relation to the AFS certification as fast as we can write them up and will start on breaches for East Gipsland, and the “whole of VicForests” management approach this week. We have brought a number of serious on the ground issues to the attention of Nathan Trushell (Director of Compliance) and he and Peter Appleford (Director of Forests) have requested a tour. We have a scientist finishing off a report that we believe will show that they have just logged zone 1 A Leadbeaters habitat in April this year (Victorias endangered faunal emblem). Our primary concern at the moment is that the AFS certification has been given to VicForests and is giving VicForests and their customers the right to make claims that the wood is coming from sustainably managed native forests. We believe that we have a strong case that shows that they are failing all 7 objectives of their sustainability charter. As the auditor we were wondering what SAI‐Globals position is on the following: 1. Regional Forest Agreements (RFA) and Forest Management Plans Despite being legislated to be reviewed every 5 years, none of the RFA’s have been reviewed in Victoria at either the 5 or 10 year point – A review has now been scheduled for mid 2010 but does this mean that the legislation has been invalid for the last 10 years. The forest management plans across Victoria are the key documents for updating management practices for managing sustainability and despite the requirement for them to be regularly reviewed have never been updated and are now out of date by 2‐4 years. Can an AFS certification be issued under such conditions? 2. Sustainability Reporting The State of the forest report is the mechanism by which the sustainability performance is measured however 2/3 of the data is missing from the last report. The other mechanism is third party auditing which has not taken place for three years and the scope and representativeness of audits prior to this have been questioned. Given the lack of public transparency we are concerned at the adequacy of VicForests own “report of operations” however, this only shows progress towards achieving objectives not performance. What criteria is SAI‐Global using to evaluate the performance of sustainability for accreditation to the AFS ? <image002.png> 3. The CAR reserve system The review or the CAR reserve is overdue and out of date especially following the bushfires again key legislation underpinning forestry and sustainability. Should this be considered in the AFS certification? 4. Regeneration and conversion If native forest is being clear felled and not regenerated then it is not a sustainable industry nor is it sustainable for biodiversity. The results from the Department of Sustainability and Environments Monitoring Annual Harvesting Performance 2007/2008 proves that logging in Victoria based on regeneration performance alone is unsustainable. Another aspect is that coupes that have laid fallow for over 3 years have limited capacity to regenerate with the biodiversity of the original native species. Fire breaks cut through national parks and state forest from 2007‐2010 have converted 600 km of forest into cleared land. This wood has been labelled with the AFS certification. This is a considerable component of the AFS certification and at what point does SAI‐Global consider non forest regeneration as land conversion? <image003.png> Further more accreditation to the AFS since 2007 seems to be in contradiction to the EIAP review of the MAHP report: <image004.png> 5. Economic sustainability 8 The following captures have been taken from VicForests Annual report 2009 Economically VicForests made a 5 million dollar loss in 2009 - and closer to 10 million if you take out "other revenue" not from the sale of forest products such as 5.7 and 1.3 million dollars given in 2008, 2009 for bushfire recovery. Approximately 60% of the total revenues are coming from woodchips which is a low value commodity market that is not going to improve profits in the future <image005.png> As an interested partie that works across the state of Victoria on forest issues particularly in relation to VicForests and forest certification we would like to be involved in the next audit to bring this issues to the attention of SAI‐ Global Could you please advise who we should speak with regarding this? Kind Regards Adam Menary <image001.png> PO Box 519 Healesville Vic 3777 [email protected] 03 59622157 This email has been scanned by McAfee prior to being sent for your protection and convenience. Please consider the environment before printing this email and if you must please use 100% post consumer waste recycled paper Important: This message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is strictly prohibited. 9