Thursday, 27 September 2012 15:43

Forestry schemes under review

Written by Pamela Tipa

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Primary Industries Minister David Carter says the Government is reviewing three forestry schemes to decide whether they need to be tweaked to encourage more forestry plantings.

This coincides with a fall in the international price of carbon from a high of $25 to the present low of $3 a tonne.

Carter says he's aware of the criticism about overseas carbon credits. "Anybody in the New Zealand forestry industry expecting a return out of carbon is obviously concerned. They are looking for ways to insulate New Zealand from the international carbon price. I personally believe we need to see more trees planted in New Zealand particularly in areas of the land which are eroding significantly."

Carter says the three schemes in question – The East Coast Forestry Project, The Hill Country Erosion Programme and the Afforestation Grant Scheme – are being reviewed.

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