Forest owners welcome new processor group

NZ FOREST OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION (Inc)

MEDIA RELEASE

9 September 2005

Forest owners welcome new processor group

Forest owners say the launch of the Wood Processors Association is an important step in the evolution of the forest industry.

“Forestry is the country’s third largest exporter, so it is essential that all its sectors are well represented and can work together for the common good,” says NZ Forest Owners Association chief executive David Rhodes.

“Today’s launch, and the fact that our two associations will be sharing premises, can only be positive for New Zealand and the tens of thousands of New Zealanders whose livelihoods depend on plantation forests and forest products.

“Having a strong and fully representative group operating in the interests of the forest product processing sector – from pulp and paper to wood products – is a very good move.”

He says he looks forward to working with the new association on a range of common issues. This will be helped by the fact that some vertically integrated companies will be members of both associations.

It will also be important for the two organisations to work cooperatively on the development of Woodco – another new forestry organisation.

Mr Rhodes says Woodco, which has been dubbed an ‘association of associations’, will act on issues important to the industry as a whole. This could include, for example, the removal of international trade barriers.

“However, there are times where the growing, processing and exporting sectors have differing drivers and priority issues. These will continue to be dealt with by the different sector groups, which will still be the industry powerhouses.”

ENDS

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