28.05.09 Local Beekeeper barred from forest

“Local Beekeeper, Tristan Lucas of Longley was arrested 21st May in old growth logging coupe WR015F in the Weld Valley. Lucas will appear in Hobart Magistrates court today to contest bail conditions. Bail Conditions bar him from entering state forest,” Huon Valley Environment Centre’s Jenny Weber said.

"I will be contesting my bail conditions in order to be able to continue my work. These bail conditions stop me from working and accessing my bee hives, as my hives are in State Forest in the Arve Valley," Beekeeper Tristan Lucas said.

"Forestry Tasmania must urgently change its management of leatherwood resources. It is wasteful and dismissive of the honey industry, and other sectors that rely upon it," Tristan Lucas said.

"Logging of priceless leatherwood rich forest continues across the Southern Forests every day. In the coupe where I was arrested, in the South Weld World Heritage Value Forests, ancient leatherwood trees are being felled every day. This watseful practice must be stopped immediately," Tristan Lucas said.