Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 874

❓ Mr Eatts questions the Forest Products Commission's (FPC) environmental certification practices for timber products, including impacts on suppliers like Bunnings and the rationale behind any policy changes regarding certification. The Minister deferred the answer to another question.

AnsweredQoN 874Legislative Assembly

Asked

14 October 2025

Member

Mr Bevan Eatts

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 (FPC) is independently certified to an environmental standard? (2) From 1 July 2025 which forest products by species sold by the FPC 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 feedback was received; and (b) 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; and (b) If so, what consultation occurred prior to this decision? (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) Has the Minister 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?