Australia’s forestry and forest products sector is celebrating this year’s AgDay 2023 theme ‘Grow you good thing’ – recognising that our forestry, timber manufacturing and pulp and paper industries are essential to the food and fibre supply chain across the country and the world, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) Natasa Sikman said today.
“Forestry is an important part of Australia’s agriculture landscape and the products our sector creates, like packaging, are also important for the rest of agriculture. Just think about the cardboard boxes our fresh produce is delivered in, or the timber pallets it travels on to market,” Natasa Sikman said.
“The forest products sector is worth $24 billion to Australia’s economy annually with 80,000 direct and another 100,000 indirect jobs supported in both metropolitan and regional areas. Our sector’s importance in the fight against climate change and helping the Albanese Government reach its net zero emission reduction targets is also growing.
“AgDay 2023 is important to raise awareness about where so many essential food and fibre products come from and that includes those made from timber and wood fibre. Just like cardboard boxes and pallets, where would we be without timber for home building and furniture, or wood fibre for paper? These products come from sustainably grown and managed plantations and native forests Australia wide, supporting jobs and communities along the way.
“I commend the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) on another successful AgDay and applaud Australia’s forest products sector as an essential part of the broader agriculture sector,” Natasa Sikman concluded.