TA ANN temporarily stopped operations at its Huon Mill when a group of conservation activists entered the site yesterday.

The protesters, of Huon Valley Environment Centre, are promising that is just the start of their campaign against the timber processing company.

Up to 25 people, including children, entered the site at about midday.

``Ta Ann Tasmania personnel activated their invasion response plan, to safeguard workers as well as the illegal visitors and the police were called,'' senior resource manager Greg Hickey said.

``Ta Ann Tasmania's operational manager, in the company of the police, asked the activists to leave the site, and all did.''

Mr Hickey said that there was no interference with equipment, but up to an hour and a half of production was lost.

Sergeant Marcus Pearce, of Huonville police station, said that no arrests had been made as a result of the trespass.

Huon Valley Environment Centre spokeswoman Jenny Weber said that the two-hour peaceful protest finished when police ordered them to leave or face arrest.

She said that it was a demonstration against Ta Ann's native forest practices.