ENVIRONMENT groups are refusing to accept the findings of experts backing Forestry Tasmania's plan to log within 430,000 hectares supposed to be immediately protected.
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The report, prepared by two state government-appointed schedulers, has not been publicly released, but it is understood to recommend 25 coupes be harvested before the end of the year.
They found that of the coupes Forestry Tasmania said it needed to meet wood supply contracts, only seven could be rescheduled.
The government business has already withdrawn from six of those because of market conditions.
Signatories to the statement of principles were presented with the schedulers' report on Tuesday.
In a heated meeting, it was agreed the schedulers would seek additional information and explore other options raised by environment groups.
Wilderness Society spokesman Vica Bayley said if the schedulers still supported Forestry Tasmania's claim then, the intergovernmental agreement stipulated the company should be compensated instead of logging continuing.
The industry says it will walk away if the compensation clause is triggered.
Forestry Industries Association of Tasmania chief executive Terry Edwards said the industry would collapse if wood supply contracts were not met.
Resources Minister Bryan Green confirmed in Parliament that the independent schedulers recommended production should continue in a "small area".
He admitted it was a "touchy point".
Forestry Tasmania has called for the report to be released immediately.
"Forestry Tasmania is concerned that while the report remains secret the information vacuum will be filled with rumour and misinformation," spokesman Ken Jeffreys said.
The government business believes it was required by the intergovernmental agreement to meet its contractual obligations.
Mr Jeffreys said the compensation clause appeared to be inconsistent with the government's guarantees of resource supply. The area in question is less than 2000 hectares.
Environment Tasmania director Phill Pullinger said the report was not finished and it was a collective decision to seek additional information.
Premier Lara Giddings urged all stakeholders to remain at the negotiating table.
The schedulers are expected to report back at a meeting next month.
