Jun 27, 2006. /Lesprom Network/. The National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI), Australia’s peak forest industry body, has welcomed the announcement that it will receive funding from the Australian government to boost relationships between Australia and China in timber certification issues. The Hon Peter McGauran MP, Australian minister for agriculture, fisheries and forestry, announced on Monday, June 26 that NAFI and GHD Ltd will receive funding as part of the Australia-China Agricultural Cooperation Agreement (ACACA) to represent the Australian forestry industry in developing mutual government to government recognition of the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) and the Chinese forestry standard. The funding will cover costs of four Australian representatives of the forestry sector to visit China and a reciprocal visit by four Chinese forestry representatives to visit Australia. “NAFI and GHD Ltd will conduct an Australian and Chinese forestry standard equivalence study which will be used as the basis for progressing mutual government recognition of the countries’ forestry certification schemes,” said Catherine Murphy, NAFI’s chief executive officer. “The Australian Forestry Standard is a world-class certification tool. It gives purchasers of forest products the assurance that AFS certified products are legally and sustainably sourced according to the highest standards of environmental sustainability. The Commonwealth funding will provide the industry with the opportunity to understand and develop strategies for increased trade with China, and how each country can maximize the environmental sustainability of its forest resources. Having both the AFS and Chinese standard mutually recognized will lead to stronger economic ties with China and will create commercial opportunities for both nations. NAFI thanks the Australian government for its support of this exciting project which will build upon the excellent bilateral relationship between our countries,” said Mrs. Murphy.