National Party Signals on Kyoto Forests Welcomed

MEDIA STATEMENT

Tuesday 6 March 2007

For Immediate Release
KFA Welcomes National Party Signals on Kyoto Forests

The Kyoto Forestry Association (KFA) has welcomed comments on carbon credit ownership made by Opposition Climate Change Spokesman Nick Smith today when he, National Leader John Key and Agriculture Spokesman David Carter attended MAF’s land-use consultation meeting in Christchurch.

Dr Smith told media at the meeting: “Post 1990 foresters must receive some portion of the credits”. He said National would “engage with the forestry sector” and that “some credits will be given to post-1990 forests”.

KFA spokesman Roger Dickie said Dr Smith’s comments were pleasing.

“This is a very positive signal from the National Party and will help lift investor confidence,” he said.

Mr Dickie said KFA continued to urge all political parties to endorse the six-point plan to get forest planting underway again, which was agreed last year by all key players in the industry, including the New Zealand Forest Owners Association (NZFOA), the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association (NZFFA), the Federation of Maori Authorities (FOMA) and KFA, after work with Government officials.

ENDS

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