Issue 4 - April 2007
- PFSI Consultation Document
- Land Eligibility Guidelines
- Carbon Accounting System
- New PFSI Manager
- When can you Enter the PFSI?
- Other Developments
- New Phone Numbers
- Download as a PDF file
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Welcome to the fourth issue of the PFSI Bulletin. In this issue you can find out about:
- the release of the PFSI consultation document;
- the release of the land eligibility guidelines;
- the development of a carbon accounting system;
- our new PFSI Manager;
- when you can enter the PFSI;
- other developments in the pipeline.
PFSI Consultation Document
MAF has released the consultation document The Permanent Forest Sink Initiative: Proposed regulations, cost recovery methods and forest sink covenant. In this document you can read about the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's (MAF's) proposals for:
- regulations for the PFSI, including the application process and eligibility of land, harvesting restrictions, carbon accounting and participants' entitlements to units, record keeping requirements and registering of certifiers.
- cost recovery methods and fees for the PFSI;
- managing the risks associated with the PFSI;
- a draft forest sink covenant.
The document is available on the MAF website at www.maf.govt.nz/forestry/pfsi/consultation-document/index.htm. You can request a printed copy from MAF's Rotorua or Christchurch office.
MAF would like to receive feedback on these proposals. We will review any feedback before finalising the regulations, cost recovery methods, fees and covenant.
If you wish to discuss your submission or to seek clarification on any aspect of the consultation document please contact MAF's Rotorua or Christchurch office.
Please ensure your submission reaches us by 14 May 2007.
Land Eligibility Guidelines
To enter the PFSI you will need to provide evidence that your land is eligible to earn units under the PFSI. MAF has released a guide to help you determine if your land is eligible.
The guide provides examples of what land is, and is not, eligible to earn units under the PFSI. In its simplest form, land that was in pasture in 1989 and still in pasture will qualify to earn units under the PFSI. If the land contains exotic forest that was established after 17 October 2002 it is eligible to earn units under the PFSI. If the land contains indigenous forest that was established after 31 December 1989 it also qualifies to earn units under the PFSI.
The guide is available on the MAF website at: www.maf.govt.nz/forestry/pfsi/.
Carbon Accounting System
MAF is developing a carbon accounting system for the PFSI that will enable participants to assess the amount of carbon in their forest for the purposes of claiming credits.
A group of experts has been convened. The design group is expected to provide draft recommendations in May 2007. Following the recommendations, a workshop will be held involving a wider group of PFSI users and technical experts to discuss and provide feedback on the methodology.
New PFSI Manager
Pat Hawinkels joins the Indigenous Forestry Unit of MAF from Carter Holt
Harvey Forests Ltd, where he was most recently involved in harvesting
operations. Pat holds a Bachelor of Forest Science and has a broad range of
experience, having worked in the New Zealand forest industry for the past 20
years.
Pat will manage the PFSI operations and assist in developing the operating procedures and regulations leading up to the PFSI roll out. Pat reports to Rob Miller, the manager of MAF's Indigenous Forestry Unit (IFU). The IFU within MAF is responsible for administering the PFSI.
Contact Details
Tel: 07 921 3405 (direct dial)
Mob: 029 921 3405
Email:
patrick.hawinkels@maf.govt.nz
When can you Enter the PFSI?
PFSI covenants will be able to be registered as soon as regulations are approved by Government. MAF expects this process to be completed later this year, following the completion of our consultation. In the mean time, if you wish to explore this investment opportunity please contact MAF's IFU.
Other Developments
- MAF is working on other developments to assist with the roll out of the PFSI. These include:
- a PFSI users guide;
- examples of how PFSI will work in practice;
- species suitability for PFSI;
- a GIS database for storing spatial and other PFSI information.
Information will be provided to the public as these developments are completed.
We are currently revamping the PFSI website to make it more user friendly. We are also adding new information to the website as it becomes available, including the PFSI Guide to Eligible Land, the consultation document and an updated questions and answers section.
New Phone Numbers
MAF has updated its phone system, and as a result our phone numbers have changed. Please use our new phone numbers below.
CONTACT
| Indigenous Forestry Unit | Indigenous Forestry Unit |
| Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry | Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry |
| PO Box 25 022 | PO Box 1340 |
| CHRISTCHURCH | ROTORUA |
| Tel: (03) 943 3700 | Tel: (07) 921 3400 |
| Fax: (03) 943 3701 | Fax: (07) 921 3402 |
| Email: ifu@maf.govt.nz | Web: www.maf.govt.nz/forestry/pfsi |
Contact for Enquiries
Permanent Forest Sink Initiative
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington 6140
Or call us on 0800 CLIMATE (254 628)
Contact this person
