Day 073 - 13 Jan 95 - Page 13


     
     1   Q.   Read that out and comment.
     2        A.  "Management and forest plantations.  Although it is
     3        recognised that an increasing emphasis on managed forest is
     4        necessary to protect remaining ancient [sic] forests" -----
     5
     6   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Take this very slowly and read as clearly as
     7        you can.
     8
     9   MR. RAMPTON:  Would your Lordship like this copy?  I have had a
    10        glance at it.
    11
    12   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Yes, it would be helpful.  Thank you.
    13
    14   MR. MORRIS:  The material handed up is a letter from the author
    15        of the report, Nigel Dudley, who was asked to provide
    16        assistance to Mr. Hopkins in the preparation of this case.
    17        He is confirming his view.
    18        A.  "Management and forest plantations.  Although it is
    19        recognised that an increasing emphasis on managed forest is
    20        necessary to protect remain native forests, most current
    21        forestry practices are environmentally damaging.
    22        Plantations and intensively managed forests are creating a
    23        change in the nature of forest type, narrowing variety in
    24        both species and in genetic variation within species.  An
    25        increasing area is covered with conifer and eucalyptus
    26        monoculture.  Forest management also; destroys wildlife
    27        habitats including" -----
    28
    29   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  "Including by poorly managed afforestation"?
    30        A. "Including ... poorly managed afforestation; increases
    31        soil erosion and hydrological damage, including trapping
    32        acid pollutants from the atmosphere; changes the balance of
    33        fire in the system; increases pest and disease attack; and
    34        results in large quantities of agrochemicals being used in
    35        what were previously natural systems.  Much modern forestry
    36        is also very unsightly, and can create a range of social
    37        problems if badly managed, and if local people are not
    38        involved in the planning and execution of management
    39        schemes."
    40
    41   MR. MORRIS:  If you just continue for a couple more paragraphs?
    42        A.  "Paper and pulp"?
    43
    44   Q.   Yes.  Then I will ask you for your views overall.  Maybe if
    45        you give your view on that last paragraph first.  Is that
    46        something you would agree with?
    47        A.  I agree with it absolutely, yes.  I mean, it sums up to
    48        a great extent what I have said in my larger body of
    49        evidence.
    50 
    51        I will go on to "Paper and pulp production":  "Paper and 
    52        pulp production.  The world market for pulp has increased 
    53        by five times over the last forty years and it is now the
    54        major use of timber from intensively managed forests and
    55        plantations.  Pulp is important both because of the total
    56        area of forest required and due to the highly polluting
    57        milling and bleaching processes, which release both air
    58        pollutants and highly toxic dioxin into water, causing
    59        damage to health and forcing the abandonment of fisheries
    60        in some areas".

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