25 March 2002

The government announced today that all Timberlands' native forests will be gazetted as conservation land by 1 April 2002, including major additions to National Parks. "This is a great day for the forests and a wonderful victory for non-violent direct action," said NFA spokesperson Peter Russell. "

This is a major blow to the 'sustainable management' lobby which claimed the forests could be logged without damaging them. It's the result of decades of campaigning and strong public support for the protection of our remaining lowland forests.

Now we can finally have the celebration we have been waiting to have since Labour and Alliance came to power in November 1999".

Native Forest Action will make further comments tomorrow after seeing the details of the announcement.

Ends

© Scoop Media