Green Party Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons today congratulated Prime Minister Helen Clark for her quick-fire ban on native beech logging.

"The Labour Party made it very clear they were against West Coast beech logging before the election, and they have given a strong message to Timberlands to fall in line with current government policy," said Ms Fitzsimons. "I'm pleased that such decisive action by the government has avoided potentially long and costly resource management hearings due to start today."

Ms Fitzsimons said she was very happy to see the government taking prompt steps to protect what is left of native beech forests.

"We're delighted that the beech forests have been saved so that future generations can enjoy them too."

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