NZIF welcomes a new Global Forest Certification Scheme to NZ

The New Zealand Institute of Forestry welcomes a new Global Forest Certification Scheme to New Zealand

The New Zealand Institute of Forestry (NZIF) welcomes the endorsement from the Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), of New Zealand’s sustainable forestry standard.

NZIF President, James Treadwell said “New Zealand’s model of forestry, where natural forests are managed for conservation and exotic plantation forest for production, is well understood domestically but is comparatively rare in the world.”

“PEFC’s endorsement of this model is useful in ensuring continued acceptance of the sector’s exports of all products, including timber, paper and logs.”

Mr Treadwell continued saying “Increasing international concern over the loss of forests and the effect of this on climate change has seen many countries ban the import of wood and wood products of unclear origin.”

“It is therefore pleasing to see the whole forestry sector work together to achieve PEFC recognition which will help prove New Zealand wood and other products come from well managed forests.”

“It is likely PEFC endorsement will become especially important as a way of showing New Zealand wood products are grown and produced legally as more countries move to ban imports of illegal wood products” said Mr Treadwell. “Currently New Zealand has endorsed other countries banning imports of illegal forest products but has not yet introduced similar controls at NZ’s borders, potentially resulting in some confusion from the international market as to the legality of New Zealand forest products.”

ENDS

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