A farmers group in New South Wales (NSW) has been criticised by Timber Communities Australia (TCA) for withdrawing support for softwood plantations.
TCA labelled the NSW Farmers Association as irresponsible after the latter asked the federal government to reconsider tax breaks being offered for investment in plantation forestry in the south-east and across the state.
The timber industry support group said the association was abandoning the only sector to be effective in halting the rural agricultural decline.
TCA urged the association to look at how towns had benefited from the presence of pine plantations.
