Anderton Criticism Justified

New Zealand Timber Industry Federation

PRESS RELEASE

12 March 2007

Anderton Criticism Justified

The New Zealand Timber Industry Federation (NZTIF) has come out in full support for Mr Roger Dickie of the Kyoto Forestry Association and his criticisms of Forestry Minister Jim Anderton over his handling of land resource and climate change issues.

“For some time the NZTIF have been sceptical of Mr Anderton’s commitment to the success of the forest industry” says Howard Tonge, President of the NZTIF.

“In the past the minister has used the excuse of a lack of industry unity for ignoring important issues. The industry is speaking with one voice on this issue and it appears Mr Anderton is still not listening.”

Mr Tonge said the proposed taxes to be levied on land use changes have sent shudders through the entire forest industry and any potential new investors.

“These proposed taxes cut right across the fundamental rights of property owners in this country which unfortunately the current Government seems to be doing more and more regularly.”

“Government dictating to private owners what they can and can’t plant on their land has an alarmingly Stalinist ring to it” says Mr Tonge

“Forestry and the export dollars it earns has never been more important to New Zealand yet under Mr Andertons stewardship we have for the first time in living memory seen net deforestation. With forests so important in the storing of carbon emissions government needs to seriously rethink its policies.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media