Green Policy Pleases KFA, With Reservations

MEDIA STATEMENT

Tuesday 27 March 2007

For Immediate Release

Green Party Policy Framework Pleases KFA, With Reservations

The Kyoto Forestry Association (KFA) says it is looking forward to further dialogue with the Green Party following the release of the party’s Kicking the Carbon Habit policy framework yesterday.

“We note with disappointment that the Greens do not accept Kyoto forest owners and investors have a property right to the carbon credits earned by their forests,” KFA Spokesman Roger Dickie said today.

“However, we are pleased the Greens have again made absolutely clear that they believe Kyoto forest owners should receive some benefit from the carbon they store, and that there should be a payment to all Kyoto forest owners for the carbon sequestered by their forests during the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol. This will help encourage investment in new planting and reverse deforestation.”

Mr Dickie said the Green Party had long been at the forefront of climate change policy and KFA looked forward to continuing to discuss the ongoing development of policy with the party.

“In particular, we will be looking to the Greens to rethink their support for retrospective taxes on those who invested in forestry more than 17 years ago, but now want to use their land for other purposes. Retrospective taxes are wrong in principle and they undermine confidence in an industry that relies on stability in Government policy over a quarter century or more.”

ENDS

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