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Green Excuses: Collusion to promote protectionism?
OCCASIONAL PAPER
The trade of forestry products on international markets is becoming increasingly controversial.
For years environmental groups have been claiming that there is mass deforestation and illegal logging occurring in the developing world to create products for developed world consumers. In response environmental groups have sought certification of forestry products based on their
expectations of environmental management.
But increasingly industry and unions are now doing the same. Cloaked behind environmental language industry and trade unions appear to now be colluding with the messages of green groups to advocate for green protectionism.
Green groups want less forestry in the developing world. Industry wants green protectionism to cut the volume of competitive imports. Unions want green protectionism to stop imports to ensure they can keep workers in high-paying jobs.
But many aspects of these campaigns are deceptive. The real cost will flow through to the final price of retail products, hit the hip pocket of consumers and increase the cost-of-living for Australians. This is particularly true in the Australian toilet tissue market where green groups, unions and industry are now seeking trade restrictions.