Federated Farmers Support Coast Action Network

2 July 1999

FEDERATED FARMERS SUPPORTS COAST ACTION NETWORK

Federated Farmers supports the Coast Action Network (CAN) in its efforts
to balance environmental concerns with the need for employment.

Vice President Tom Lambie said today that the CAN was standing up for
the sustainable future of the West Coast.

"Sustainable use of natural resources in any land-use system is crucial
to the well-being of the New Zealand as a nation. This is of particular
importance to West Coast communities who rely on a unique mix of natural
resources for the maintenance of their social and economic fabric."

"Farming, sustainable logging, mining and tourism opportunities must be
blended to allow for the real growth and prosperity of the region, with
every sector playing a vital role."

"There needs to be a far greater recognition and support for genuine and
credible proposals that meet the social, economic and environmental
requirements of the region."

"As large areas of the West Coast's indigenous forests are privately
owned, businesses must be given every chance to develop the
infrastructure needed to secure an environmentally sustainable future
for the rural sector."

"The West Coast community must have more certainty if it is able to
improve its social and economic situation. Failure to do so will deliver
a severe blow to the West Coast community as a whole."

ENDS

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