MAF Policy News
Issue 11, August 2008
ISSN 1177-701X
NZ primary sector forecasts encouraging
MAF recently released its forecasting report SONZAF - Situation and Outlook for New Zealand Agriculture and Forestry 2008. The report presents MAF’s views on what is happening in the land-based primary sectors and forecasts trends over the next five years.
Solid growth is expected for the primary sector over this period despite the tougher immediate economic outlook both internationally and locally. The recent drought, high New Zealand dollar and high production costs has noticeably affected returns. The report also states that while traditional Western markets are slowing, this is expected to be offset by continued growth in fast-developing Asian economies such as China, India and other developing and oil exporting markets.
 |
For more information
|
What’s happening with the ETS?
MAF’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) project team continues to work on designing the business processes to support the forestry sector's entry into the ETS.
MAF has established a new Climate Change contact centre to answer questions relating to the proposed ETS and other Sustainable Forestry schemes such as the Permanent Forest Sink Initiative and Afforestation Grant Scheme.
The Climate Change contact centre has so far received about 80 emails, telephone calls and letters during the month of July about the ETS and other forestry programmes. However, detailed and specific information about the ETS will not be available until after the legislation is passed.
For more information
- The Climate Change contact centre is 0800 CLIMATE (254 628)
- To be kept up to date with forestry, sign up for the Sustainable Forestry bulletin by emailing climatechange@maf.govt.nz with "Sustainable Forestry bulletin subscription" in the subject line.
- To go to the Forestry ETS website click here.
- To go to the Climate Change website click here.
Early release horticulture, arable and pastoral monitoring reports
 |
For the first time this year, horticulture, arable, dairy and deer monitoring information has been published as an early web release to aid the industry in planning and forecasting processes. Releasing this information prior to the full report allows the industry to get an early picture of the production costs, the overall financial situation, and forecasts for the year ahead.Each early release highlights key results for farm models, orchards and vineyards as well as model budget and expenditure financial results and forecasts. Releases are available for kiwifruit, viticulture, pipfruit and arable models and regional dairy and deer models. Sheep and beef monitoring early releases will be published on the web at the end of September 2008. The full Horticulture and Arable monitoring report for 2008 will be published in late September and the Pastoral monitoring report will be published in early December 2008. For more information
|
Further funding for carbon footprinting studies
MAF is accepting applications for its second round of funding allocations aimed to develop greenhouse gas (GHG) footprinting capabilities in the land-based primary sectors. $500 000 will be allocated to allow primary industries to further develop expertise in measuring and managing GHG emissions across supply chains.
The first round of funding is already having significant paybacks for those sectors involved in the wine, kiwifruit, forestry, dairy and lamb sectors.
Interest in the carbon footprint of products from international retailers and global companies is increasing and many New Zealand producers are now at the international forefront in developing carbon footprinting expertise.
The closing date for funding applications is 19 September 2008.
For more information
- Click here to go to New Zealand Greenhouse Gas Footprinting Strategy for the Land-Based Primary Sectors
- Applications can be made through the GETS website by clicking here.
New publications
Workshop Report: Poplar and Willow Plantings on Land Overlay 3A, Gisborne, East Coast region
 |
This report is the result of a 2006 workshop jointly organised by the Gisborne District Council and MAF to establish guidelines for the most effective and practical use of wide-spaced poplar/willow pole plantings in erosion control on Land Overlay 3A in the Gisborne District.The report, based on a desktop exercise and tempered by the general expertise of the workshop participants and their comments plus published results from post storm surveys of soil conservation plantings, recommends indicative planting densities for wide-spaced pole plantings to achieve successful erosion control within Land Overlay 3A. For more information
|
West Coast forest industry and wood availability forecast 2008
MAF’s West Coast forest industry and wood availability forecast is now available. The new West Coast report forecasts lower volumes of available wood than previous forecasts. The report forecasts about 196 000 cubic metres per year for 2012 to 2015. Earlier forecasts were for about 380 000 cubic metres per year over the same period. The principal reasons for the projected reduction are: a downward revision of yield tables, losses from wind throw and harvesting at younger ages.
While the West Coast report indicates a reduced harvest for the region, overall wood availability for the South Island has remained steady at about 4.8 million cubic metres per year until 2020.
For more information
- To read the report or download a pdf click here.
The Hawkes Bay forest industry and wood availability forecasts will shortly be available in print. To receive a printed copy email policy.publications@maf.govt.nz
All current forest industry and wood availability forecasts can be read here.
Events
National identity seminar series: The Future identity of New Zealand farming
Organised by the University of Otago, this seminar is open to all government officials and policy makers to help develop understanding of the Government's national identity theme.
Assoc Prof Hugh Campbell, Centre for the Study of Agriculture, Food and the Environment will be speaking:
- Friday 22 August, 12:30pm–2:00pm
- MAF Pastoral House, Level 3, Room 3.3
For further information
- Grant Robertson (University of Otago) by 19 August
- Ph: 04-381 4461
- Cell: 021-270 9023
- Email: grant.robertson@otago.ac.nz
Websites
Good Practice Funding
This website is a key tool for improving government agency processes and practice when funding community, voluntary and Maori organisations. Each section has a related resources area with case-studies, useful links and further reading.
Go to http://www.goodpracticefunding.govt.nz/
Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector (OCVS)
This site provides information about the OCVS and their work. Three key projects currently being looked at are:
- Building better government engagement;
- Improving government funding practice;
- Incentives for volunteering and philanthropic giving.
Go to http://www.ocvs.govt.nz/
Contact for Enquiries
MAF Information Services
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
Fax: +64 4 894 0721
Contact this person
