Farm foresters have their say
WHEN FARM FORESTRY NEW ZEALAND started in the 1950s, the idea that trees be planted as a commercial crop was novel and needed considerable support and practical demonstration. The need for an integrated approach to trees in the landscape and greater promotion of the farm forestry concept is now clear, says incoming Association President, Graham West.
Following the Association’s annual five-day conference in Wellington, themed ‘Trees and the political landscape’, a number of issues emerged. Climate change impacts, adaption, and building resilience were a consistent backdrop to many of the presentations.
Incentives for tree planting and regulations around tree crop establishment or harvesting are now commonplace. Numerous senior officials informed the conference of key new regulatory developments that will either encourage or control trees in the landscape. However, few provided answers to how 680,000+ hectares of new planting will be incentivised to achieve the goals suggested in the recent Climate Change Commission (CCC) advice.
Mr West says if a consistent programme of tree planting is desired by New Zealand, several strategic issues need to be addressed concurrently to encourage private investment. Voluntary groups like the Farm Forestry Association have the practical skill and need to be supported with funding to coordinate professional field officers that facilitate information transfer via field days and preparation of case study material, he says.
“The heavy reliance on radiata pine to do many roles in the forestry sector, is a major risk in terms of biosecurity. But species diversification needs to be addressed by government because it is a national risk that individuals don’t address. Knowledge of alternative species options and management practices is well developed in farm forestry, but the significant risk around processing and markets remains. While we cannot de-risk the future, we can reduce the upfront costs when establishing these alternative species, if Government mitigates that risk through larger grants”.
Farm foresters are getting into the peak years of harvesting from their 1990s plantings, he says, and they don’t want the government to control or tax their longawaited harvest as it appears the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association (WPMA) was wanting the government to do.
“The WPMA says it wants the government to make a level domestic and export playing field, but it is in fact demanding the complete opposite.
“Plus the logs supplied for export, are generally not suitable to meet the house construction grades here in New Zealand. There is not that much overlap.”