of Forestry Dept officials talking of "...pines all the way to the (Victorian) border." The most sickening aspect though are the excessive tax breaks & dodges enjoyed by plantations & their investors. And I haven't touched on the cost to local communities as they are displaced by pine plantations. Without those tax concessions, there would be no market driving this monster. Drama Vampire : Mark, thanks for your post. Its made me think a lot more about how much I don't know. I know I don't like trees being cut down, but I dont know very much about how the forestry industry even works. You are right, there is definitely no 'debate' in the media over these issues. The reporting is absolutely one sided and there are very few opportunities for real information from any side to be put forward. I guess its difficult to be heard when you are perceived as the devil incarnate. I find it interesting that if you are an animal protectionist you do not consume products made from animals - esp food and clothing or support those industries in any way. Its not that fashionable though to say we shouldn't consume wood or paper products... I am not sure I am prepared to give up my books or my beautiful furniture or even my toilet paper for that matter. oh my and then there are my baby's nappies and baby wipes. Hmmm give up the Huggies or cut down the tree - you can cut