The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) have welcomed the announcement by the Coalition government that it will provide an initial $100 million in emergency funding to be used for grants to help support farming businesses affected by the catastrophic bushfires this summer.
CEO of AFPA Ross Hampton said, “The Morrison/ McCormack Government is to be congratulated for moving quickly to assist farm-based forestry. Forestry is an important part of many farming operations and a small but important component in Australia’s wood supply covering native forestry hardwoods and also plantation timbers.
“It is important that farmers are encouraged to continue in their forestry operations and indeed to expand where it makes sense. The forest industry nationally has been hit very hard by the bushfires and we look forward to further announcements by the Government which will help deal with the enormous challenges we will face to rebuild, regrow and renew.
“The support will help get forestry operators back on their feet and re-establish their businesses. We need to make sure that regional communities that have been hit hard by the bushfires are given every chance to re-build and keep jobs and businesses going.”
