Update on 2007 Regulations for Establishing Native Trees
There have been a number of farm foresters concerned on their status following the planting of a new block or blocks of native trees. Where does this leave farmers if they want to later harvest all or part of these native trees?
Good common sense has prevailed with the introduction of the Indigenous Forest Regulations last year. What this means is that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Indigenous Unit can issue certificates confirming that the indigenous timber trees have been planted on specified land that was not covered by indigenous forest immediately before planting, or immediately prior to the land being prepared for planting.
This is a good practical solution as the certificate can be presented as evidence that the said timber is from a planted indigenous forest at the time of harvesting and milling and therefore exempt from the Forests Act's requirements for a sustainable forest management plan or permit.
The outcome of this change is that MAF will hold a register and list of all the forest certificates.
Note that the details on what is required when you apply for a certificate are still being developed and will be available on the MAF website in the near future.
Prepared by Murray Harris (taken from an extract by Ian Platt, Indigenous Forestry Unit MAF in the January issue 2008 of the Jane Tree Trust newsletter).
Via Mid Otago Farm Forestry Assoc. Newsletter February 2008.
Central Districts TWIGS - May/June 2008/2 - Newsletter Editor: Hinemoa Ransom-Boyd