Nick Smith MP
National Party Climate Change Spokesman

20 September 2007

National welcomes policy change on forestry

National welcomes the Government’s announcement today to reverse its decision on the allocation of carbon credits on forests, says National’s Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.

“The Cabinet decision in 2002 to not allocate the carbon credits from forests has had a devastating impact on confidence in the sector. In 2003, for the first time in 50 years, deforestation started and since then New Zealand has lost 39,900 hectares, or 10 million trees.

“This has resulted in 31 million tonnes of carbon emissions.

“This issue has been about good faith. Prior to 2002, both National and Labour governments had urged landowners to plant trees on the basis they would get carbon credits.

“This is why National has argued so strongly that these assurances needed to be honoured.

“Forestry is critical to the success of New Zealand’s climate change goals, and this change in policy is way overdue.

“This policy change reflects National’s Bluegreen document published over a year ago and John Key’s 50 by 50 speech in May, which both called for foresters to receive carbon credits under an emissions trading system.

“The forestry sector needs certainty. With Labour now agreeing with National on the allocation of carbon credits, they can move forward with confidence.”

ENDS

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