Threat to fine wool country

Press, 15 May 1987, Page 12

Threat to fine wool country

The “protection of natural areas” programme could remove some of New Zealand’s best fine wool growing country from production, the president of the Stock and Station Agents’ Association, Mr Alistair McLachlan, has said. Speaking at the National Golden Fleece Wool Seminar in Christchurch, Mr McLachlan said the P.N.A. programme was designed to identify land areas for protection and it could, at best, reduce production in the interests of environmental land management. Wool production in New Zealand was dropping, although prices at auction were rising.

Therefore member companies of the stock and station association,

particularly those in Central Otago, were concerned that some of the best low-cost, fine-wool country in New Zealand could be closed to production.

“The farmers who manage these pastoral lands are concerned with the recent requirements of the Department of Lands and Survey that they refrain from burning, oversowing and topdressing substantial areas of high country identified as worthy of protection. “These farmers are in fact some of our most responsible conservationists.

“They know how to preserve and manage the high country that in many cases their families have managed throughout the century.

“As I understand it, there is no evidence that the survey takes into account whether protection is justified but merely that these areas are representative of the area concerned.

“In the opinion of our members, it would be a tragedy for the wool industry if the production of some of our premium wools is reduced through limitations being placed on growers ability to manage their properties effectively,” said Mr McLachlan.