May 1, 2000

Greens won't support extended rimu logging

The Green Party warned the coalition government tonight it must not extend logging of publicly owned rimu on the West Coast.

"While we don't have full details of what Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton has promised West Coast mayors today we are alarmed at media reports that the Government may be prepared to allow continued logging of public forests containing rimu for several more years," Green Party Co-Leader Rod Donald said.

"If such reports are correct, and my information is that Mr Anderton and Finance Minister Michael Cullen have promised to advocate continued logging at cabinet level, then it seems Messrs Anderton and Cullen should have seen more of the devastation being caused in previously pristine forests around the Coast before making such deals.

"They should also consider the number of native birds such as kaka, parakeets and wood pigeons which could be killed by this extension.

"Prime Minister Helen Clark has used the end to logging as a way of saying that she has accommodated the Green Party. The Deputy Prime Minister seems set on contradicting that.

"The Government didn't see fit to consulting with us before this announcement was made today, and we will be seeking an urgent meeting with Ms Clark and with Forestry Minister Pete Hodgson to seek clarification of what is planned."

Rod Donald MP 025 507183 Paul Bensemann, Press Secretary 021 214 2665

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