Chain of custody...who cares?

[MAPLEMAN]

Wondering how many folk in this country take time out to consider where their timber comes from!We(aussies) have an insatiable appetite for timber,particularly exotics,and more often than not,these species come from tropical areas that abound in rainforests(Indonesia,New Guinea,Solomons etc).Do we care that these rainforests are exploited by greedy companies and individuals?I am not sure what the governments veiw on this subject is,but i know the buck stops with the consumer...would like to hear feedback from forumites...do you care about whether or not the timber you purchase has been legally and sustainably harvested?

[mach70]

Interesting topic.

I would like to think that anything I buy is from reputable and sustainable forrests.
I purchase most of my jarrah from the big green box other timber has been purchased from Carbatec or stuff I collect locally.
The stuff I have purchased off the forum is local.
Only stuff I'm not sure on is timber purchased from overseas suppliers


Shawn

[wheelinround]

Buried somewhere in the archives on this forum.

[FenceFurniture]

Yes, it's important to me. If I knew that it was illegally/unsustainably harvested I wouldn't purchase it.

[dabbler]

Yes, it's important to me. If I knew that it was illegally/unsustainably harvested I wouldn't purchase it.

Yep +1 for me. That's my point of view too.

[Big Shed]

Yes I would like to think that ALL the timber I buy is harvested in a sustainable manner, whether that comes from overseas or from within Oz.

Unfortunately there aren't too many mechanisms in place to enable us to judge that.

Greedy individuals and companies do not confine their timber harvesting to tropical overseas rainforests, I'm sure we have quite a few of those here in Oz.

[Mulgabill]

Yes, I am also sensitive to this issue and where ever possible my works are made from locally sourced windfall, reclaimed and recycled timbers and in fact I advertise this fact to the public that purchase my pieces at craft sales and exhibitions.

However, I admit that in the distant past there have been occasions that I have not been sure of the provenance of some exotic timbers, but now days I avoid such timbers and seek alternative species.

[MAPLEMAN]

Spoke to one of the organisers of the Maleny wood show the other day,and he raised concerns regarding stall holders who were selling timber that wasn't sustainably harvested,and promised to weed them out..

[MAPLEMAN]

Yes, I am also sensitive to this issue and where ever possible my works are made from locally sourced windfall, reclaimed and recycled timbers and in fact I advertise this fact to the public that purchase my pieces at craft sales and exhibitions.

However, I admit that in the distant past there have been occasions that I have not been sure of the providence of some exotic timbers, but now days I avoid such timbers and seek alternative species.

Good onya Mulgabill...great to see someone walking the talk...

[BobL]

It also might pay for us to look a bit closer to home. I heard that in 2010 an average of 11 containers a month of salvaged old jarrah was being exported from Perth to China. Meanwhile most of what is available in the stores is young insipid pink jarrah.

[shedbound]

good topic, Has anyone ever wondered where their merbau deck came from? This hits closer to home also, with reports of illegal logging of blackwood trees in the Strzelecki ranges Victoria.

[rsser]

Absolutely check provenance.

Buggered if I want my bucks to go into the pockets of corrupt operators in SE Asia who screw the landholders and ruin forests.

[rsser]

You can check what you're buying with this search facility: click

[MAPLEMAN]

It also might pay for us to look a bit closer to home. I heard that in 2010 an average of 11 containers a month of salvaged old jarrah was being exported from Perth to China. Meanwhile most of what is available in the stores is young insipid pink jarrah.

On the upside Bob,at least it is salvaged and not coming out of old growth forests...i can live with that..

[Master Splinter]

Yes, I can buy Malasian or Indonesian rainforest timber with a nice 'sustainable' tickmark.

Do I assume that this means anything more than "the appropriate government minister has had his backhander" or "timber company is owned by a relative of the minister responsible for logging permits".

Nope.