The code of best forest practice is currently being drafted by the Forest Service to set out the best code of practice in all stages of the forestry management cycle, from seed selection through establishment and maintenance to timber harvesting and transport.
Preparation of the code is a major undertaking involving extensive reference to developments in other countries and addressing a wide range of issues, including achieving the integration of forest management, maintaining biodiversity, ensuring sustainability, maintaining and restoring productivity, addressing sociological concerns and maintaining forest health while integrating biological, social and behavioural sciences. I expect that a draft will be available for wide consultation around Easter 1998. Following such consultation I hope that the redrafted version will be published before the end of 1998.