Official statistics indicate that it is much less hazardous to be a logger in New South Wales these days but what is the real story behind the figures? It happens that the improvement coincides with the cessation of native forest logging and many are concerned that long shifts and road safety are still presenting a safety risk.

California has run out of redwoods but is still hungry for the timber. Now, redwoods grow well in New Zealand but just what are the pros and cons of this market opportunity? Inwood talks to redwood enthusiasts - some of whom already have trees in the ground.

A new ‘coalition of the willing’ has come together in Australia after the demise of the national Furniture Industry Association but while the government presses for unity, some still want to revert to state associations. Inwood speaks to key players with contrasting views on the way forward.

Nobody should underestimate the achievement of Friday 23 June 2006 when New Zealand forestry industry leaders met and agreed to support, with hard cash, a 10-year programme to promote wood products to the New Zealand market.

The long-awaited New Zealand pan-industry association of associations is now up and running but there are questions about resources. Can the industry cough up enough dosh to fund the associations any more or is it time for a compulsory levy? The financial and resource issue is being exacerbated by the departure of major corporates - traditional bastions of the associations - from the scene.

The mercurial economic conditions affecting international forestry investment have driven two well-known listed Australian forestry companies to see how attracted their ‘investor growers’ are to alternative crops such as olives, mangos and avocados. Recent stock market performance's indicate they have found and successfully backed some winners.

The Middle East is drawing in timber supplies from all over the world for its booming construction sector. Price and customer service are critical issues though – this market needs careful handling and potential exporters need to establish on the ground if the critical repeat business is to be secured in the face of hungry competition.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. That old French saying is particularly pertinent to progress in the World Trade Organisation negotiations.