Day 058 - 30 Nov 94 - Page 32


     
     1        is going on in either of those two regions one might be
     2        looking at is something which is nature's own achievement.
     3        Man's intrusion on this can be one of the influences but
     4        there can be very many other influences upon it.
     5
     6   Q.   Yes, OK.  Again this is a something that has cropped up a
     7        few times:  "The replacement of arable farmland" -- this is
     8        in paragraph 4 -- "by trees will usually result in
     9        increased biodiversity".  Again, that maybe a criticism of
    10        the lack of diversity on arable farmland; is that correct?
    11        A.  But it may also be looked upon as one of the advantages
    12        of increasing our forest area in our own country.
    13
    14   Q.   It depends what it is being compared to?
    15        A.  Yes, of course.
    16
    17   Q.   This is in your third to last paragraph: " ... as knowledge
    18        about endangered species has improved, additional large
    19        areas have been set aside as nature reserves".  Are the
    20        nature reserves considered to be protective of biodiversity
    21        and ecological concerns?
    22        A.  I think the nature reserves that have been set aside
    23        are not just set aside, they are also managed to encourage
    24        the biodiversity in those areas, yes, most certainly.
    25
    26   Q.   As opposed to commercial plantations, being in comparison
    27        to commercial plantations?
    28        A.  I think anything that is set aside as an SSSI or in any
    29        other way as a nature reserve is going to have a degree of
    30        protection which would not apply to a commercial forest
    31        area to the same extent.  That does not mean that the
    32        commercial forest area is by its very existence having a
    33        major effect on the natural diversity of that area.
    34
    35   Q.   I have something from Sweden before we move on from
    36        Sweden.  I have copies of it actually.  I want to show it
    37        to you.  Do you know what Skogsindustrierna is?
    38        A.  Mmm.
    39
    40   Q.   Yes.  If I could hand one to the Judge.  I am sorry it has
    41        markings on it, but it is the best I can do.  (Handed)
    42        There is a second document that relates to Finland; that
    43        first one relates to Sweden.  Actually, while I am handing
    44        in documents, I have a list of all Mr. Hopkins' references
    45        here.  Could you just tell us what Skogsindustrierna is?
    46        A.  Skogsindustrierna is their industry, forest industry
    47        organisation.  Sweden has the Swedish Pulp & Paper
    48        Association are involved in it and so is the Forest Growing
    49        Industry involved in it.
    50 
    51   Q.   So that would be equivalent to what in this country?  The 
    52        Timber Trade Federation? 
    53        A.  No, it would be equivalent to the -- well, probably the
    54        Forestry Industry Committee of Great Britain is the nearest
    55        thing because that combines the Timber Growers Association
    56        with those who are in the sawmilling industry as well.
    57
    58   Q.   This is press briefing from October 20th, 1992.  "This is
    59        how biodiversity in the forest will be preserved" is the
    60        title.  If you just read it to yourself for a minute?

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