Forest commodity levy vote closes shortlyFriday 22 Mar 2013 A proposal to introduce a compulsory commodity levy on logs and other forest products at the time of harvest is presently being voted on by New Zealand forest growers. The voting concludes at 5.00pm 29 March 2013. The New Zealand Farm Forestry Association has been working alongside the NZ Forest Owners Association to spearhead a promotional campaign prior to the referendum, so that all growers are well-informed about the implications of the levy.If the levy gets the go-ahead following the referendum, a seven-member Forest Growers Levy Trust Board will be established. This board will be made up of an independent chairman, two representatives of small scale forest growers, and four others voted by all forest growers. The Board will represent a coherent industry voice for organising priorities and lobbying government. It will administer the levy fund and be responsible for its allocation. To govern the research spend, a research committee, with a terms of reference, will be set up under the board. Between 60-70% of the levy funds will be used for overall science funding. The remainder would be spent on wood promotion through NZ wood, programmes run by NZFFA and FOA, and about 10% for levy administration and collection. More >>. |
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