❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the Forest Products Commission's (FPC) environmental certification practices for timber products, particularly concerning changes in policy, market demand, and potential impacts on suppliers like Bunnings. The answer clarifies which products are certified and explains the rationale behind certification decisions.
AnsweredQoN 875Legislative Assembly
Asked
14 October 2025
Member
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West
QuestionView source ↗
(1) From 1 July 2025 which forest products by species sold by the Forest Products Commission is independently certified to an environmental standard? (2) From 1 July 2025 which forest products by species sold by the Forest Products Commission is not certified to such a standard? (3) Has the FPC ceased to seek environmental certification for any forest products: (a) If so which products? (4) If the FPC has ceased to seek environmental certification for any forest products, why has this occurred? (5) Has the FPC sought to survey or received feedback from timber processors of the need for environmental certification and the impact of not having certification: (a) If so, what were their views: (i) If not, why has the government not consulted on this matter? (6) Is it true that Bunnings requires its timber products to be environmentally certified, and that its current suppliers can no longer sell such timber to Bunnings due to the FPC no longer seeking certification for mine clearing: (a) Was the Minister aware of this requirement: (i) If so, what consultation occurred prior to this decision; and (ii) What will be the impact on the WA public? (7) Is the timber to be supplied from the FPC's recent tender for hardwood plantation environmentally certified: (a) If not, why has this not been done? (8) Prior to the current Forest Management Plan which species of timber were environmentally certified: (a) Why has there been a change of policy in relation to timber certification; and (b) Was the Minister consulted in any change in policy in relation to environmental certification? (9) What is the government's current policy in relation to providing environmentally certified timber? (10) The Minister has previously stated that the new FMP now puts the forest management on sustainable basis: (a) As the forests were previously certified as being sustainably managed, will the Minister provide assurance to suppliers and the WA public by requiring the FPC to recommence independent environmental certification for all timber produced from WA forests and plantations?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 November 2025
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West
Response time
9 days
(1) The FPC’s certification to the Australian and New Zealand Standard for Sustainable Forest Management (AS 4708) (Certificate number AFS 709544) includes products and species produced from:
· Softwood plantations
· Sandalwood plantations and native sandalwood operations
· Ecological thinning operations
(2) Forest products produced from mine site clearing if FPC does not engage the harvesting contractors, and from eucalypt plantations on sharefarms (see (7)).
(3-4) The FPC seeks relevant environmental certification when required.
(5)(a)(i) FPC works closely with timber processors on the sale of forest products appropriate to their needs.
(6) FPC supplies forest products to timber processors not directly to retail outlets. FPC is not aware of purchasing policies of retail outlets.
(7) No.
(a) There has not been sufficient market demand for certified timber from hardwood plantations to justify the cost of certification. Should this situation change, the FPC will review the scope of its certification.
(8) FPC has operated since 2000 and has sought relevant certifications when required.
(9) The FPC is committed to ensuring that the forest resources under its management are managed sustainably through the implementation of forest management practices that are environmentally sound, socially acceptable and economically viable.
(10) Following the state governments historic decision to end native forest logging in 2021 forest management for health outcomes are overseen by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
· Softwood plantations
· Sandalwood plantations and native sandalwood operations
· Ecological thinning operations
(2) Forest products produced from mine site clearing if FPC does not engage the harvesting contractors, and from eucalypt plantations on sharefarms (see (7)).
(3-4) The FPC seeks relevant environmental certification when required.
(5)(a)(i) FPC works closely with timber processors on the sale of forest products appropriate to their needs.
(6) FPC supplies forest products to timber processors not directly to retail outlets. FPC is not aware of purchasing policies of retail outlets.
(7) No.
(a) There has not been sufficient market demand for certified timber from hardwood plantations to justify the cost of certification. Should this situation change, the FPC will review the scope of its certification.
(8) FPC has operated since 2000 and has sought relevant certifications when required.
(9) The FPC is committed to ensuring that the forest resources under its management are managed sustainably through the implementation of forest management practices that are environmentally sound, socially acceptable and economically viable.
(10) Following the state governments historic decision to end native forest logging in 2021 forest management for health outcomes are overseen by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
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