Eight people are occupying a contentious logging area in Tasmania’s Eastern Tiers this morning after a forest defender was arrested there yesterday.

“It is beyond belief that the habitat of the critically endangered Swift Parrot is being lost to logging. Logging the Swift Parrot to extinction is a choice by Tasmanian Premier Gutwein and Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley,” Bob Brown Foundation Campaign Manager Jenny Weber said.

"Swift Parrots are present in the logging area this morning. This logging and all logging in native forests needs to cease. For climate, endangered species protection and the economy, ending native forest logging is urgently needed," said Ms Weber.