Action Needed Urgently on Positive Side of Kyoto Ledger

With yesterday’s update of our volatile net emissions for Kyoto targets, positive action to increase tree-planting is absolutely essential according to the Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA). FICA chief executive John Stulen says “The big numbers in New Zealand’s Kyoto net equation are a balance between forest-plantings and agricultural emissions.” “It is hard to see New Zealand reducing its reliance on agricultural-based exports anytime soon, so changing the balance by large-scale tree-planting is essential.”

Dependant as New Zealand is on healthy export markets for our primary products there is no downside to extensive tree-planting. Stulen says “In fact it is likely that some of the biggest beneficiaries of a government-initiated forest-planting scheme would be New Zealand farmers who own substantial holdings of the land, the value of which would be enhanced through further tree-planting.” “Using forestry to protect our currently polluted waterways damaged by decades of farming fertiliser overload would be a win-win-win for the government, our Kyoto target and our primary industries,”added Stulen.

Despite the glaring obvious need for tree-planting to balance the positive side of the Kyoto targets for New Zealand, Stulen was doubtful that any government action would be taken. “Because it would take a year from now to get a lot more seedlings in the ground, and the fact that it would be an investment required by the National Government, who would be in the middle of their first term and looking for quick-fire ways of making sure they would be re-elected for a second term, it’s unlikely they have the foresight to sign up and show the necessary leadership for such an obviously beneficial, but reasonably long-term return to the taxpayers of this country.”

On the other hand, Stulen added, if government is willing to go ahead, “There is no time to waste as the time delays associated with seasonal planting cycles are such that the soonest large-scale planting could begin would be the winter of 2010.”

“We would do well also to remember the lessons of history,” warned Stulen, “lt was large-scale forest planting that worked during the depression to largely create the superb forest estate which drives our third-biggest export earnings industry now.”

John Stulen is chief executive of the Forest Industry Contractors Association, this industry body which represents the majority of forest contracting companies and rural-based workforce responsible for the sustainable forest tending and harvesting of the 1.8 million hectare plantation forest estate in New Zealand.

ENDS

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