Source: Radio New Zealand
The Forest Owners Association said there was concern in the industry that it was not specifically noted in the national fuel plan. Nick Monro
A forestry group wants the industry to be listed as critical in the government’s national fuel plan, saying it’s crucial to regional economies and supports other key sectors.
The plan lists agriculture as a critical customer for fuel that would be prioritised under a fuel supply crisis, but does not specifically mention the forestry industry.
Forest Owners Association chief executive Elizabeth Heeg told Morning Report on Tuesday there was concern in the industry that it was not specifically noted in the plan.
“The guidance that came out with the revised fuel plan on Friday did say that it’s food supply and primary production that would be prioritised during time-critical periods, but we’re just looking for assurance that forestry is included in that primary production.”
She pointed to time-critical work such as clearing trees felled in storms before they attracted fungus, ruining their usability as timber.
“But we also were a critical part of the food supply chain. You know, pallets are either made out of plastic, wood and we’re not seeing a lot of plastic come into the country right now where those supply chains are threatened by the crisis. So wood pellets are going to be quite critical to food shipping as well as wood crate and building materials.
“So we’ve got an element to play in supporting the other economically important services.”
She said there was 1.8 million hectares of forestry requiring active management, and it was “really difficult to turn that off and on, because you end up having impacts to both the forest and to the mills and the infrastructure that supply those pallet makers”.
“Look, I think we’re committed to working with the government and working within our own supply chain to try and make it economic where we can and to work across to keep things turned on, but to recognise where we need to make some efficiencies. But it’s a really difficult situation, with some mills that have closed in the last two years. We’re under a lot of pressure.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
