David Williams writes in The Press about unhappiness by environmental groups over the government’s national policy statement (NPS) on biodiversity.
The NPS does not give native plants any of the additional protection needed, they say.
An excerpt: (read in full here)
“Documents released to The Press under the Official Information Act show Environment Minister Nick Smith last year directed officials to prepare a Cabinet paper on a biodiversity NPS which “is not about advancing protection beyond that provided currently”.
“Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said privately owned tussock and shrub land needed greater protection because the emissions trading scheme (ETS) would encourage pine planting by issuing carbon credits.
“It appeared Smith had “gutted” the NPS, he said.”