forest talk
Government needs a rethink, says FOA THE FOREST OWNERS ASSOCIATION (FOA) IS SYMPATHISING with some farmer frustrations over the pace of regulations being imposed on the primary sector which last month played out in nationwide protests. FOA President, Phil Taylor, says the time has long since passed for anyone to think there are free rides on the environment. He says it’s vital to acknowledge the need for new exotic forests to sequester enough carbon for New Zealand to reach zero carbon by 2050, without putting impossible burdens on sectors of the economy, including agriculture. He adds that some of the constraints on agriculture now being imposed, or suggested, don’t make sense and jeopardise the viability of the productive land economy throughout New Zealand, pointing out the rules around designating Significant Natural Areas (SNA) in particular. “It seems as though there is no vestige of vegetation anywhere – town, city or rural that can’t be arbitrarily classed as an SNA. “The more foresters, farmers, or anyone who plants native trees in city backyards as well, and then takes care of and looks after these native trees or wildlife, then paradoxically the more officials are going to prevent them using their land in a productive way,” he says. “If the government really wants to maintain and enhance indigenous biodiversity then it should turn its attention to a chronically under-resourced Department of Conservation estate. Or it should supply conservation services to meaningfully assist landowners in their own biodiversity efforts.” Mr Taylor says plantation forests, like many farms, intrinsically have extensive native reserves, riparian strips and wetlands all
throughout their forest blocks. Forestry companies have undertaken to follow best practice conservation measures to protect endangered species of birds, reptiles, bats, amphibians and plants. There are many examples nationwide where forest owners are leading conservation efforts with endangered species, he adds. “It seems that there is a regulatory approach which Forest Owners Association starts with a rushed list of rules President, Phil Taylor. and then looks for places to make them fit. “We all want to see better protection of our biodiversity, but one size does not fit all land and if we users of a land resource – foresters or farmers – are prevented from using that land then the national income takes a big hit in the long term. “We do support many of the changes the government is undertaking. They are essential to preserve our environment, but they need to create a more sustainable economy at the same time. This is not in the least because forestry has a huge role to play in carbon lock-up and increased export earnings. “However, if private land is going to be appropriated for the provision of public good, the government needs to rethink how the costs are going to be met and where the efforts are applied.” NZL
MPI rebrand spend questioned “THE MINISTRY FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (MPI) HAS SPENT almost three times as much on an unnecessary rebrand as it did on a support package for under-pressure fruit growers,” says ACT’s Primary Industries spokesperson, Mark Cameron. “The ACT Party can reveal through Written Parliamentary Questions that MPI splashed out a million bucks to rebrand its existing business units. Meanwhile, fruit growers who are facing dire skills shortages and have been affected by weather events received just $350,000. The rebranding was for New Zealand Food Safety, Fisheries New
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Zealand, Biosecurity New Zealand, and Te Uru Rākau – established within existing branches of MPI in April 2018. It cost a total of $959,688. “How can stationery, templates, logos and vehicle signage for departments that already exist within MPI be more of a priority than fruit growers who are struggling because Government won’t let a labour force in to help them? “When a branded pen is more important to the Government than an entire industry, you’ve really got to question what they’re thinking.” NZL
