THE AGE
http://www.theage.com.au/daily/990409/news/news12.html
Friday 9 April 1999
Stores dump timber book
By CLAIRE MILLER
ENVIRONMENT REPORTER
The national hardware chain BBC Hardware has bowed to pressure from the
timber industry and agreed to withdraw a book telling consumers how to
build and renovate homes without using wood from native forests.
The National Association of Forest Industries had threatened legal action
against BBC Hardware on the grounds that the book, Forest Friendly Building
Timbers, contained misleading and deceptive information about native forest
timber.
The book, which is already available in some bookstores and newsagents,
argues that Australia already has enough timber in plantation and through
recycling to meet its construction needs. It says logging in native forests
is contributing to the mass extinction of native species.
The forest association's executive director, Dr Robert Bain, said last
night that the association had tried discussing its concerns with BBC
Hardware but ``it was only with the possibility of legal action that they
took it seriously and they found it was misleading and they have pulled it
out of their stores''.
``We are concerned about public perceptions of heavy-handedness,'' Dr Bain
said. ``But BBC Hardware would not have withdrawn it if they hadn't
accepted the argument that it was misleading and deceptive.''
He said BBC Hardware had stated that its company policy was to sell
plantation and native forest timber that was supplied by companies that
practised ``sound forest principles''.
A spokesman for BBC Hardware could not be contacted last night, but
publicity material for the book launch this week included a statement from
the company in which it said it was proud to promote and stock the book.
``As one of Australia's major buyers of timber, we have become increasingly
aware of the need for change and, as any responsible person or organisation
knows, caring for the environment is critical for our future,'' the
statement said.
Legal action is still pending against the publisher, Alan Gray of Earth
Garden Books, the Wilderness Society and two book distribution companies.
Mr Gray said last night: ``This is the biggest kick in the guts I have had
in 10 years.'' He said he met two BBC Hardware marketing executives on
8March to finalise book launch venues. They had had copies for two weeks
and told him they were happy with the book, he said.
``I feel like crying for our forests. I am completely shocked that NAFI
(the forest association) could do this, that BBC Hardware would bow to the
pressure.''
Mr Gray's legal adviser, the barrister Mr Brian Walters, said the exact
nature of the association's threat against BBC Hardware was not known but
``there is a case for the appropriate authorities to investigate what has
occurred because this affair has implications for commercial dealings in
this country''.
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