Media Release

13 February 2007

Don’t Burn the Trees

New Zealand First forestry spokesperson Doug Woolerton is calling for calm in the carbon credit debate and rational discussion rather than rash action.

“Talk of burning trees or bulldozing forests is not helpful. Rather than taking a hard line, all sides should meet and discuss the issue. New Zealand’s forests represent a tremendous natural resource and the last thing anyone wants is to damage or destroy that resource. That is not in our nation’s best interests,” said Mr Woolerton.

“New Zealand First accepts that there are important property rights issues to be resolved, and acknowledges that the ownership of carbon credits is important to the forestry industry. The market for carbon credits is emerging, and it is not in the nation’s best interests to take entrenched positions at this early stage,” said Mr Woolerton.

ENDS