New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, released by Greens Senator Bob Brown in the Senate today, reveal that whole log exports from plantations leapt by 90% last year to a new high of 630 000 m3.

Native forest saw-logging Australia-wide could be reduced by 20% instantly, if these logs were processed in Australia, according to Senator Brown.

"If the logs were sent to Tasmania instead of overseas, we could stop logging native forests immediately.

"As the debate over the Regional Forest Agreement Bill winds to a stalemate, these new figures confirm what a farce and monumental waste of public money the whole process has been.

"Plantation wood was not even included in the RFA options for Tasmania, Victoria or Western Australia. The result is ongoing and escalating conflict about the wanton and unneeded destruction of native forests.

"In Queensland, where the plantations were brought to account, a negotiated settlement was reached.

"Plantations, largely planted with public money in the 1960s and 1970s, are coming onstream now. There is more than enough wood to meet Australia's needs if it is processed here.

"The government and the opposition should face the facts, abandon the discredited RFA process and start again with the realistic twin goals of developing a world competitive wood products industry, using the existing plantation estate, and protecting the world's most majestic native forests for all time", said Senator Brown.

Available. Graph of exports of softwood plantation saw and veneer logs from Tasmania and Australia.