Keen interest in carbon seminar

A good turnout is expected at a free North Taranaki seminar on carbon farming on Thursday.



Organised by the Taranaki Regional Council, the seminar will be held at Uruti Hall, starting at 1pm, and will feature expert presenters on the Government’s Permanent Forest Sink Initiative and the newly announced Emissions Trading Scheme.



The event is the first of three, with others to be held in Central and South Taranaki in February next year.



Taranaki Regional Council Land Services Manager, Don Shearman, says there is much interest in the concept of carbon farming, reflected in the number of calls Council staff have received about the Uruti event.



“It certainly is a hot topic at the moment,” he says.



Presenters will include Patrick Hawinkels, the Minstry of Agriculture and Forestry Manager for the Permanent Forest Sink Initiative, and John Dentice of Kyoto Forests of NZ. Taranaki Regional Council Land Management staff will also outline the services the Council can provide.



Mr Shearman says the aim is to equip farmers and other land owners with information that allows them to take best advantage of schemes like the Forest Sink Initiative, emissions trading, the Afforestation Grant Scheme and other options.



There will also be a barbecue and refreshments.