This consultation has closed
We need your help to make our forest industry smart and sustainable.
National is proposing to take away the rights local communities and iwi have to protect their environment from destructive forestry practices that degrade indigenous habitats, pollute our rivers, hurt our fisheries, and risk the release of GE trees.
National’s proposed new standards for plantation forestry will help big, foreign-owned forestry companies make a quick buck at the expense of our environment and the local communities they work in.
Make a submission to strengthen bottom lines for the New Zealand forestry industry to help secure the long-term sustainability of the sector. Submissions close on the 11 August 2015.
Go here for our full submission guide.
Read more about the Government's consultation here.
I support smart, strong environmental standards for plantation forests in New Zealand – standards that give certainty and encourage the long-term sustainability of the industry.
A sustainable forest sector is one that protects our indigenous vegetation and habitats, protects our soils from erosion and our waterways and estuaries from siltation; and protects the fisheries that depend on them. It is one that takes a precautionary approach to GE by preventing the planting of GE tree stocks and contamination of the local environment; and continues to allow local communities to have a say on forestry practices.
In response to the draft National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry, I would like to see:
- Indigenous vegetation and habitats protected from being over-planted with exotic trees;
- Clear cut size limited to reduce erosion and sediment loss;
- The use of overseas best practice by introducing larger riparian buffer zones and setbacks along rivers and around lakes and wetlands to protect their natural character and water quality;
- My Council be able to prevent the release of GE material and introduce stronger controls to prevent erosion, control wildings and protect the environment;
- Incentives to plant more diverse tree species to reduce fire risks and increase indigenous biodiversity.
Thank you.