Ross Hampton
FSC Australia/New Zealand has filled a casual vacancy on its board and appointed AFPA CEO Ross Hampton to the Economic Chamber Director vacancy. Source: Timberbiz
The Economic Chamber includes organisations and individuals with a commercial interest.
Examples are employees, certification bodies, industry and trade associations (whether profit or non-profit), wholesalers, retailers, traders, consumer associations, and consulting companies.
Mr Hampton has recently been critical of FSC.
In a formal complaint to FSC Australia, the AFPA urged the removal of three FSC directors from the board if an FSC investigation found their actions contravened Australian FSC’s standards and constitution, after the two directors signed a letter from environmental groups to Opal/Australian Paper.
Before the most recent annual meeting, Mr Hampton said the investigation of the directors was urgent as there were companies with FSC Controlled Wood certificates in Australia.
He could not be contacted yesterday for comment and is believed to be on holidays.
Meanwhile the FSC international has issued a statement regarding what it describes as “a situation involving the board of directors of FSC Australia and New Zealand”.
“As a chamber-balanced, multi-stakeholder organisation, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) welcomes and embraces debate and discussion at every level,” the statement says.
“However, internal debate must be framed in the wider context of our overall mission: to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests.
“Currently, there is a situation involving the board of directors of FSC Australia and New Zealand (FSC ANZ). This is impacting the operations and brand integrity of FSC,” the statement says.
“FSC International is conducting discussions with FSC ANZ members regarding specific ideas and proposals that will chart a path forward for FSC Australia which is in keeping with FSC’s mission and values.
“FSC International will communicate an update soon.”
