The New Zealand Government announced its cabinet, and in the process told the forestry sector it was not important according to the New Zealand Institute of Forestry. The forest sector has called for a senior cabinet post for some time. Source: Timberbiz
Forestry needs an effective cabinet voice if it is to fulfill its ability to grow the economy, increase regional employment and increased diversity, giving a more stable balance of payments and exchange rate.
“During Nationals last term, forestry appeared to be sidelined under an associate minister of MPI,” said president of the NZ Institute of Forestry (NZIF), James Treadwell.
“We repeatedly challenged the Government to justify its apparent indifference to ‘climate-friendly’ forestry while at the same time claiming one of its ‘key strategic drivers is a smooth transition to a low carbon economy’. We did not feel the Minister grasped the issues nor cared about the sector.
“This industry is committed to growing its position and importance within NZ. However we need strong leadership from Government and a Minister willing to listen and understand how to help us grow.”
Within the next three years forestry is likely to be the second largest export earner in New Zealand.
The NZIF said that Forestry occupies two million hectares of land and provides 18,000 jobs and this is without counting the benefits the conservation forest estate brings to the country.
In addition to economic returns for NZ, forestry provides for biodiversity, soil stability, clean streams, recreation and removal of carbon, something conservation groups like Forest & Bird and Fish & Game formally acknowledged as long ago as 1991.
NZIF is committed to seeing the forestry sector grow its position and importance within NZ.
“We have been frustrated by the continued and expanded range of subsidies available to farming while at the same time being told economic growth in forestry needs to be market led.” said Mr Treadwell.
It is unclear where Forestry sits within the named cabinet lineup.
Logically it should be the responsibility of the Minister of Primary Industries, Nathan Guy but during the last term of government he passed responsibility to Associate Minister, Jo Goodhew, who is ranked at 21.
Mr Treadwell said that “given the choice of more of the same under an Associate Minister of MPI or coming under the responsibility of the Minister of Conservation or Minister of Science and Innovation, NZIF would rather one of the latter two.”
The opportunities forestry can offer New Zealand require proactive management.
“NZIF now fears contraction of the sector during this term of Government” said Mr Treadwell. He called the latest cabinet “a head in the sand moment”.
