Sheep & Beef Farm Conversion to Forestry Slows, Risk Remains
Conversions of sheep and beef farms to forestry have slowed, however new research from Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) suggests land of value for food production remains at risk.
Chair Kate Acland says the case studies show that existing and expected environment-related policies and rules, could lead to a significant decline in the sheep and beef sector.
In his report, the PCE, Simon Upton says for too long the issue of land use change has been relegated to the 'too-hard' basket and it's now time to confront some of the difficult questions regarding this.
He says while afforestation should continue, it should be in a way that is better suited to the landscape. He adds that national-level regulations that impact on land use change do not consider the differences of NZ landscapes and their communities. He says at present land owners are the main decision makers when it comes to land use change, but argues that catchment groups provide a way for willing land users to learn from each other.
Acland says B+LNZ supports the PCE's concerns about the impact of NZ's current policy settings around forestry offsetting in the ETS. She says the PCE modelling shows a high risk that major areas of productive farms will continue to be converted into forestry for carbon credits under current policy settings. Acland says they also support the PCE's recommendation for a 'catchment based approach' to environmental rules.
