The potential trade in carbon credits which could see Maori Authorities benefiting directly from investment in their own land, is applauded by ACT Conservation and Agriculture spokesman Gerry Eckhoff.

The New Zealand Government has indicated it intends to ratify the Kyoto Protocol which allows the selling of forest carbon credits to countries that do not meet agreed limits on carbon dioxide emissions. The process could have huge financial advantages to Maori and rural New Zealand.

“This is a real opportunity for sustainability to become reality and not just a broad, poorly defined Government policy.

“However, it is unbelievable that Environment Minister, Marion Hobbs, believes the Government, and not the owners of forests and bio-mass, should be the beneficiaries of this concept.

“This is a marvellous opportunity for Maoridom to ‘close the gaps’ through self determination,
but the grasping nature of Marion Hobbs and her Government, will destroy the incentives of forest growth for both environmental and financial advantage.

“It is becoming increasingly obvious that the Environment portfolio is beyond both the Minister’s capability and strategic vision.

“Landowners who have had the motivation and foresight to maintain New Zealand’s bio-diversity must not have the fruit of their labours stolen by an interfering Government,” said Gerry Eckhoff.

ENDS

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