Media Release

28 February 2008

Kyoto Protocols Too Stringent

“New Zealand First believes that the Kyoto protocols will need to be modified to allow forestry owners diversification of land use. It makes sense to allow land better suited to farming to be used as such, and offset carbon liabilities by replanting forests in a more appropriate location. It makes no sense to limit land use in New Zealand to appease a European model,” said agriculture and forestry spokesperson, Doug Woolerton.

“We currently have forests growing on land that could be used more intensively, and conversely we have pasture land that would be better suited to forestry.

“Hopefully in the next round of negotiations for Kyoto, post 2012, we can settle on a model that better suits New Zealand.

“We look forward to forthcoming submissions on this issue,” concluded Mr Woolerton.

ENDS

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