Latest news with #ClimateChangeResponse
Agriland
11-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Another 40,000ha of NZ sheep and beef farms sold for forestry
Almost 40,000ha of sheep and beef farms in New Zealand has been sold for conversion to forestry in the past eight months, according to a new report. The independent research released by Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) shows that sales of beef and sheep farms, particularly for carbon farming, are continuing 'at an alarming rate'. Of particular concern, the farm organisation said is a significant shift towards productive land being sold. The research by Orme and Associates shows a further 38,921ha has been confirmed as sold since the last report in September 2024. Revised confirmed sales in 2023 now total 29,518ha and in 2024 now 30,483ha – that figure is expected to rise as further sales are confirmed. The report shows that sales through Overseas Investment Office approvals and to carbon-only forestry entities continue to dominate. Forestry The total amount of whole sheep and beef farms sold since January 1, 2017 is now more than 300,000ha. B+LNZ's conservative estimate is that more than two million stock units have been lost to afforestation over the past 8 years. New Zealand's Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay yesterday (Tuesday, June 10) introduced long-awaited legislation that will put a stop to large-scale farm-to-forestry conversions 'For too long, productive sheep and beef farms have been replaced by pine trees in the race for carbon credits. That ends under this government,' McClay said. 'The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme – Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill will restrict wholesale conversions of farmland to exotic forestry by stopping LUC (Land Use Classification) 1-5 land from entering the ETS and capping new ETS registrations on LUC 6 land. 'It will also protect farmers' ability to diversify – allowing up to 25%of a farm to go into trees, while stopping the kind of blanket ETS planting that's been gutting rural communities in places like the East Coast, Wairarapa, the King Country, and Southland,' the minister added. The bill proposes time-limited transitional exemptions in rare cases for people who were in the process of afforestation prior to these changes originally being announced on December 4, 2024. The legislation is now before parliament and is to come into force October 2025. Farms Kate Acland, B+LNZ chair, said that the updated whole farm sales figures reinforce the need for action. 'While we appreciate the government's announcement this week about legislation being introduced to restrict wholesale conversions based on land use classes, the numbers show whole-farm sales for conversion to forestry for carbon credits are continuing at pace. 'Anecdotally we're still hearing of a significant number of farms being sold this year, despite the government announcing the limits last year. 'We're concerned that some sales are continuing on the basis of intent to purchase land before the limits were announced. We urgently need the government to tighten the criteria around proof of intent to purchase,' she said. Acland also highlighted the trend of land traditionally well-suited for pastoral farming being increasingly purchased for conversion. 'B+LNZ is not anti-forestry. In particular, we strongly support the integration of trees within farms, which we believe is a better approach. 'Farmers know their land and can plant the right trees in the right places, without affecting overall levels of production. 'Instead, we're seeing blanket pines replacing sustainable food production. 'We're also hearing significant concerns from neighbouring farmers about the impacts of a lack of pest and fire risk management around recently converted areas of land,' Acland said.
Scoop
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Legislation Introduced To Restrict Farm-To-Forest Conversions
Press Release – New Zealand Government The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme – Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill will restrict wholesale conversions of farmland to exotic forestry by stopping LUC 1-5 land from entering the ETS and capping new ETS registrations on LUC 6 land. Minister of Agriculture Today Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay introduced long awaited legislation that will put a stop to large-scale farm-to-forestry conversions – delivering on a key election promise to protect the future of New Zealand food production. 'For too long, productive sheep and beef farms have been replaced by pine trees in the race for carbon credits. That ends under this Government,' Mr McClay says. 'The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme – Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill will restrict wholesale conversions of farmland to exotic forestry by stopping LUC 1-5 land from entering the ETS and capping new ETS registrations on LUC 6 land. 'It will also protect farmers' ability to diversify – allowing up to 25 per cent of a farm to go into trees, while stopping the kind of blanket ETS planting that's been gutting rural communities in places like the East Coast, Wairarapa, the King Country, and Southland.' As previously announced the new restrictions will take effect from 4 December 2024. The law will: Restrict farm conversions to exotic ETS forests on high-to-medium versatility farmland (LUC classes 1-6) A limit of 15,000 hectares per year for exotic conversions on medium versality farmland (LUC class 6) The annual limit of 15,000 hectares for LUC 6 farmland will be allocated by a ballot process, including a reserved quota for small block holders, with the first ballot proposed to be held in mid-2026. Allow for up to 25 per cent of a farm's LUC 1-6 land to still be planted in exotic forestry for the ETS, ensuring farmers retain flexibility and choice. Protect specific categories of Māori-owned land, in line with Treaty obligations The Bill proposes time-limited transitional exemptions in rare cases for people who were in the process of afforestation prior to these changes originally being announced on 4 December 2024. To be eligible for a transitional exemption, applicants need to show sufficient evidence that they made a qualifying forestry investment between 1 January 2021 and 4 December 2024. Transactions that commenced after this date will not be eligible to register in the ETS. The applicant will need to demonstrate that the investment relates to the specific Land Use Capability (LUC) class 1–6 land they are applying to register in the ETS. Registry of 25 per cent of LUC 1-6 land will be registered against the properties title to restrict further planting as a result of subdivision. 'Labour's careless ETS settings turbocharged the sell-off of our farming base. They let speculators put short-term profits ahead of long-term food production. That was careless – and it ends now,' Mr McClay says. 'This Government is backing farmers, restoring balance, and making sure the ETS doesn't come at the cost of New Zealand's rural economy. 'This policy is pro-farming, pro-food production, pro-commercial forestry and pro-rural New Zealand.' The legislation is now before Parliament and is to come into force October 2025.
Scoop
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Legislation Introduced To Restrict Farm-To-Forest Conversions
Press Release – New Zealand Government The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme – Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill will restrict wholesale conversions of farmland to exotic forestry by stopping LUC 1-5 land from entering the ETS and capping new ETS registrations on LUC 6 land. Minister of Agriculture Today Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay introduced long awaited legislation that will put a stop to large-scale farm-to-forestry conversions – delivering on a key election promise to protect the future of New Zealand food production. 'For too long, productive sheep and beef farms have been replaced by pine trees in the race for carbon credits. That ends under this Government,' Mr McClay says. 'The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme – Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill will restrict wholesale conversions of farmland to exotic forestry by stopping LUC 1-5 land from entering the ETS and capping new ETS registrations on LUC 6 land. 'It will also protect farmers' ability to diversify – allowing up to 25 per cent of a farm to go into trees, while stopping the kind of blanket ETS planting that's been gutting rural communities in places like the East Coast, Wairarapa, the King Country, and Southland.' As previously announced the new restrictions will take effect from 4 December 2024. The law will: Restrict farm conversions to exotic ETS forests on high-to-medium versatility farmland (LUC classes 1-6) A limit of 15,000 hectares per year for exotic conversions on medium versality farmland (LUC class 6) The annual limit of 15,000 hectares for LUC 6 farmland will be allocated by a ballot process, including a reserved quota for small block holders, with the first ballot proposed to be held in mid-2026. Allow for up to 25 per cent of a farm's LUC 1-6 land to still be planted in exotic forestry for the ETS, ensuring farmers retain flexibility and choice. Protect specific categories of Māori-owned land, in line with Treaty obligations The Bill proposes time-limited transitional exemptions in rare cases for people who were in the process of afforestation prior to these changes originally being announced on 4 December 2024. To be eligible for a transitional exemption, applicants need to show sufficient evidence that they made a qualifying forestry investment between 1 January 2021 and 4 December 2024. Transactions that commenced after this date will not be eligible to register in the ETS. The applicant will need to demonstrate that the investment relates to the specific Land Use Capability (LUC) class 1–6 land they are applying to register in the ETS. Registry of 25 per cent of LUC 1-6 land will be registered against the properties title to restrict further planting as a result of subdivision. 'Labour's careless ETS settings turbocharged the sell-off of our farming base. They let speculators put short-term profits ahead of long-term food production. That was careless – and it ends now,' Mr McClay says. 'This Government is backing farmers, restoring balance, and making sure the ETS doesn't come at the cost of New Zealand's rural economy. 'This policy is pro-farming, pro-food production, pro-commercial forestry and pro-rural New Zealand.' The legislation is now before Parliament and is to come into force October 2025.
Hans India
31-05-2025
- Hans India
TN Forest Dept deploys high-tech drones to boost wildlife monitoring and fire management
Chennai: In a major technological upgrade, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department is introducing advanced drones to strengthen its operations in wildlife monitoring, forest fire control, and anti-poaching efforts. The initiative, supported by the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project Climate Change Response (TBGPCCR), will see the deployment of these drones across 13 territorial forest circles in the state. I. Anwardeen, Chief Project Director of TBGPCCR, said the newly procured drones are equipped with cutting-edge features, including a 48-megapixel wide-angle camera, a thermal sensor with zoom capability, and GPS integration, making them highly effective for both daytime and night-time operations. One of the primary objectives of this drone deployment is the real-time tracking of elephants. By monitoring their movements, the drones can help alert nearby villages when elephants stray close to human settlements, reducing the risk of human-wildlife conflict. The GPS functionality enables precise and timely alerts, enhancing response time for forest officials. The drones will also be instrumental in tackling forest fires. Their thermal sensors can identify the origin of fires, determine the spread, and assess whether the affected areas are accessible to ground teams. Post-fire surveys conducted using aerial footage will provide critical insights into damage sustained by tree species, wildlife, and small mammals, aiding in effective restoration and rehabilitation strategies. Beyond surveillance, the drones support various add-ons such as searchlights, loudspeakers, and laser range finders—tools that significantly enhance their utility in complex terrains and emergency scenarios. These features allow forest teams to carry out diverse operations with greater efficiency and accuracy. 'These drones are transforming the way we work in the field. Tasks that would earlier take up to 20 days of manual labour can now be completed in just a few hours,' said Anwardeen. To ensure efficient use of the new technology, the department will train three staff members from each forest circle to operate the drones. This capacity-building initiative aims to develop a skilled in-house team of drone pilots across the state. Additionally, the department is planning to procure a separate class of drones dedicated to mapping forest terrains, studying ecological diversity, modelling topography, and analysing various forest types.
