On Monday the 31st of October SFM was involved in hosting a delegation of 3 forestry professionals from Laos.  The delegates were in Tasmania as part of sponsored tour to gain an understanding of forest management and forest management systems in Australia.  Ann La Sala gave a brief presentation about SFM’s experience working towards both AFS and FSC certification, followed by a group discussion about challenges faced in both countries.  In attendance were Mr Khamphout Phandanouvong and Mr Bounthanh Philachanh of the Department of Forest Inspection (DOFI) and Mr Phomma Pathoummavong from the Lao Department of Forests, who has primary responsibility for developing and achieving the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification program for Lao forests.  The visitors were hosted by Aidan Flanagan of the Forests and Forest Industry Council during their stay in Tasmania.  SFM Director, Andrew Morgan, joined the group for a formal dinner session that evening with other members of the forest industry in Tasmania.