Working with Government vital for recovery

THE FOREST OWNERS ASSOCIATION (FOA) SAYS IT’S WORKING closely with government in making sure that relief packages for forestry workers will both look after the workers and also speed economic recovery when the COVID-19 epidemic is finally over.

FOA President, Phil Taylor says forestry will be a crucial export tool in leading New Zealand’s recovery.

“In common with the rest of the primary sector, we will be ready to do our part to pull our economy through the extraordinary times which are ahead of us,” he says.

“After rock lobsters, forestry has been the second longest New Zealand industry to be impacted by measures in China to try to contain COVID-19. This has created some urgency to help people who have now been out of work for weeks,” he adds. Forestry Minister, Shane Jones, has announced a $28m relief package for forest workers in the Gisborne region, which will provide work for 300 forest workers in jobs such as road maintenance for removal of trees which are in danger of falling onto roads or powerlines.

Mr Taylor says it’s great that these workers can be given employment that is useful to the local economy, doesn’t take the workers away from their home region and keeps the workforce intact.

“The worldwide appetite for timber is undiminished. In fact, it’s likely to increase for New Zealand timber as climate change has an impact on forests in other countries, such as Canada, Australia and through Europe,” he says.