Photo: Be Funky
The government is planning policies to limit the full conversion of farmland to exotic forestry, particularly those registered in the emission trading scheme.
Farming groups and rural communities have been raising concerns over the amount of productive farmland being converted into forestry for several years now.
But those trying to farm alongside these forests say they can face significant challenges in trying to operate in the face of pests and potential fire threats from poorly managed plantations.
We heard yesterday from James Hunt, who farms at Pōrangahau near the Hawkes' Bay coast, where he is trying to increase wetland areas, and already under pressure from pest animals. Richard Dawkins, the chair of Federated Farmers Meat and Wool sector group, wants the forestry sector to have to pay levies to help with pest control.
But Forest Owners Association Chief Executive, Elizabeth Heeg, says many forests are well managed with owners taking considerable care when it comes to things such as deer and pig control or fire risk.
