The practice of destocking farmland to plant trees has sparked debate, with critics labelling it a "scam". While the government attempted to curb the trend last year, concerns remain that loopholes are being exploited, leading to unintended consequences.
The government’s intervention aimed to stop farmers and forestry companies from converting actively farmed land into forestry solely for carbon credit profits.
However, some argue the move has only intensified the issue, triggering a "gold rush" of tree planting, according to Federated Farmers meat and wool executive member Dean Rabbidge.
One of the most notable properties affected by the shift is Glen Islay Station, a large farm on the outskirts of Gore.
While co-owner Thomas Roy confirmed the family’s nine farming properties have not been sold, the station has begun reducing its stock, with trees already planted in parts of the land. Mr Roy declined to comment further.
The practice of afforestation, particularly on sheep and beef farms, is a divisive issue.
While it offers farmers the potential for financial gain through carbon credits under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), it also raises concerns about its long-term social and environmental effects.
Research commissioned by Beef + Lamb New Zealand revealed that from 2017 to 2024, over 261,000 hectares of sheep and beef farmland has been converted into forestry.
Beef + Lamb’s Madeline Hall said the trend lead to job losses in rural communities, with fewer fulltime positions created in forestry.
Studies indicate 1000ha of sheep and beef land typically employs 7.4 fulltime workers, while forestry supports just 0.6 jobs per 1000ha.
Ms Hall also highlighted the long-term implications, pointing out radiata pine trees take 25 to 30 years to mature, requiring continuous replanting to earn carbon credits.
Some farmers, like Logan Evans, whose land borders Glen Islay, have voiced frustration with the policy. He blamed the ETS and a struggling red meat sector for incentivising farmers to turn their land into pine forests.
"The real losers are the New Zealand public, who miss out on the protein Glen Islay used to produce," he said.
Despite the government’s December moratorium on converting actively farmed land into exotic forests, an exception remains for those who can prove they had an "intent to afforest" before the December deadline. Critics, however, argue this is being exploited by forestry companies.
Mr Rabbidge, who witnessed a neighbouring farm’s conversion to forestry, said the "intent to afforest" clause undermined the government’s efforts to protect farmland and jobs in rural communities.
