MAF Policy News
Issue 2, February 2006
In this issue:
Combating illegal logging
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Sustainable land management and climate change consultation
Final reminder about the SFF funding round
Publications
Combating illegal logging
Illegal logging and associated trade is a complex international issue. It has serious negative environmental, social and economic impacts, and it hurts New Zealand's timber industry by depressing the price of logs and wood products.
Information about what the Government is doing to combat illegal logging is now available on MAF's website, including:
- details of the Government's Illegal Logging and Associated Trade Policy;
- the new Timber and Wood Products Procurement Policy for government departments;
- what consumers and suppliers can do to help.
The Government's policy seeks to combat illegal logging and associated trade by:
- championing the issue of illegal logging as a key focus point for international discussion and action; increasing Pacific country engagement on, and awareness of, illegal logging issues;
- supporting regional cooperation on monitoring and tracking of timber and wood products to address illegal logging;
- developing bilateral arrangements that seek to address illegal logging;
- providing strong Government leadership through a credible and enforced procurement policy (the Timber and Wood Products Procurement Policy) that makes it mandatory for government departments to seek legally produced timber and wood products, including paper and where available sustainably produced products;
- encouraging stronger public and private sector awareness and action through enhanced communication;
- development of identification mechanisms for legal products; and
- increased understanding of environmental, economic and social effects of the problem.
- Read more about:
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Over the next three months, MAF will be meeting with stakeholders, including Maori, to discuss whether New Zealand should ratify the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
The treaty was developed under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Its objectives are the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use, in harmony with the Convention of Biological Diversity, for sustainable agriculture and food security.
Access to plant reproductive material from other countries is important. Without access, New Zealand may not be able to develop new varieties of crops, such as varieties that will better suit a changing climate or produce better flavour. The competitiveness and sustainability of New Zealand's agriculture may reduce as a result.
If New Zealand becomes a party to the treaty, our plant breeders will be able to legitimately obtain important plant reproductive material from other countries in order to breed new varieties of food and agriculture crops. In exchange, New Zealand's crown research institutes will be required to provide samples of certain plant reproductive material they hold (stocks permitting) to breeders from countries that are party to the treaty. If New Zealand does not become a party, plant breeders may find it harder to access important plant reproductive material in future.
Currently, 111 countries have ratified this treaty.
More information
- Find out about the treaty.
- For more information about this consultation, please contact Lucy Saunders, Senior Policy Analyst, MAF Policy (tel: (04) 894 0615, email: lucy.saunders@maf.govt.nz).
Sustainable land management and climate change consultation
The Government wants to put in place a plan of action for addressing climate change in the land management sectors. A document that discusses options for this plan of action,Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change: Options for a Plan of Action, is now available on MAF's website.
We want to know what you think of the options in the discussion document. Over the next two months MAF officials will be holding public forums in 13 towns around New Zealand. You are welcome to attend one of these meetings, or make a written submission in response to the discussion document.
Information about the public forums is available on the MAF website. Written submissions must reach us by 30 March 2007.
More information
- Find out more about the public forums or making a written submission.
- Read Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change: Options for a Plan of Action.
- To request a printed copy of the discussion document please email policy.publications@maf.govt.nz.
Final reminder about the SFF funding round
Applications for the 2007/08 Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) funding round close on 12 February 2007.
More information
- Find out more about making an application.
- Find out about projects the SFF has funded in previous years – the SFF website is a great place to find out about community-based sustainable farming initiatives.
Publications
Forestry Production and Trade for the September 2006 quarter, Statistical Release 8/2006
For the second consecutive quarter roundwood removals, an indicator of export and domestic processing levels, increased. This was despite the New Zealand dollar strengthening
slightly during the September 2006 quarter, up 1.2 percent on the previous quarter.
Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change: Options for a Plan of Action
A public discussion document about options for addressing climate change in the land management sectors.
Contact for Enquiries
Publications Adviser
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: 64 4 894 0657
Fax: 64 4 894 0742
Contact this person
