After hearing the devastating news of #Timaru’s Smithfield Alliance meatworks closing, which will no doubt have an economic effect on the district, it has been interesting reading how #forestry in New Zealand has been unfairly cast as a primary culprit, yet the facts suggest a more nuanced reality. While some have pointed to land-use change as a significant factor, forestry's role in this shift has been exaggerated. In fact, the New Zealand Forest Owners Association highlights that production forestry has declined over the past 20 years, especially in regions like Canterbury. Several independent data sources including a report by the University of Canterbury validate this downward trend, contradicting the narrative that forestry expansion is driving land-use changes at the expense of agriculture. See below figures for the Canterbury region.
2010: 109,100ha
2011: 103,300ha
2012:110,055ha
2013: 111,981ha
2014: 108,371ha
2015: 98,223ha
2016: 96,860ha
2017: 95,763ha
2018: 95,735ha
2019: 94,782ha
2020: 96,721ha
2021: 95,278ha
2022: 94,812ha
2023: 94,700ha
The real challenge facing New Zealand’s #agricultural and forestry sectors lies in the broader context of land-use pressures, bureaucratic red tape and economic realities. While afforestation may contribute to some shifts in land use, it is far from the sole driver. Dairy farming has rapidly expanded across the country, particularly in regions like Canterbury, as landowners have sought more profitable uses for their property. Moreover, the wider primary industries, including forestry, are dealing with reduced export demand, increased regulation, and increasing costs, factors that put immense pressure on all sectors—not just sheep farming. To single out forestry as the cause of job losses in the meat processing industry ignores these broader challenges.
Forestry and farming can coexist and shouldn’t be considered as a one or the other approach, they are both primary industries that contribute significantly to the New Zealand economy, a cohesive approach to tackle the wider issues which affect both industries is the way forward.
https://lnkd.in/gHfVTarA
https://lnkd.in/gDvyTDfw
