Dr. Eugene Hendrick:

Regarding the points made by Deputy Penrose, there are challenges regarding afforestation targets but in 2015 and 2016, some 12,800 hectares were planted, which is above the target. Afforestation this year is slightly down on the target and we have heard some of the reasons for that. A total of 21,000 people have afforested their land at this stage so there are obviously difficulties regarding increasing that level year on year. There is competition for land from other sectors, for example, dairy expansion. I made the point the last time I appeared before the committee that the harvest is at record levels in terms of the amount of wood that is coming out of our forests. We are forecasting that this will increase over the next two decades. As we said in our opening statement, it is set to double.

It is important to realise that it is not just about the sequestration in the forest. It is also about the products that come from the forest in terms of the wood and how they are used in the built environment is really important. It is also important to emphasise the contribution of forest materials make as a sustainable and carbon-neutral fuel source. It is about the three elements in terms of the contribution to mitigation.