8 Jun 2018

Shane Jones sends forestry owners a warning

From Morning Report, 8:16 am on 8 June 2018

The Forestry Minister Shane Jones, has put forestry owners on notice, telling them they need to stand up and take accountability for their industry practices. A million tonnes of forest debris was washed onto roads, bridges and properties in Tolaga Bay on Monday after torrential rain. The Gisborne District Council is investigating whether forestry practices are responsible for the debris, and estimates it could cost $10 million to clean up. Yesterday, Peter Clark the chief executive of one of the country's biggest forestry companies, PF Olsen, told Checkpoint that up to two thirds of forest and farm land in the East Coast may need to be retired because the land is so erosion prone.