The trial used technology such as wood anatomy analysis to identify timber species and origin.Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is using DNA and other technology to trace the origin of certain timber products.The Commonwealth is considering the findings while advocates for the local timber industry want to see strong labelling laws.Share article
"Between 15 and 30 per cent of all timber traded globally is potentially illegally logged, and 10 per cent potentially in the Australian market that's illegally sourced," she said. Ms Osborn said it used a range of techniques including analysis of DNA, trace elements, wood anatomy and fibres."You can compare that to a fingerprint database that the police use.
Australian Forest Products Association chief executive Diana Hallam said illegal timber was a considerable challenge but testing had previously been quite difficult.