Timberlands pine harvest is currently predicted to increase from 190,000 m3 this year to 230,000 m3 in 2001 and 260,000 m3 in 2002. Westco Lagan, by far the largest rimu processor, say there will be no job losses at their mill. Outside the West Coast, concern has been expressed about employment in the furniture industry. The key issue in relation to employment currently utilising rimu timber is the availability of alternative supplies. As noted by the Minister responsible for Timberlands West Coast Ltd during oral questions on Thursday, these timbers collectively are in more than adequate supply.
Transition time is needed only to provide for changing from one timber source to another.
No public suggestion has been made that this involves physical refits at the factories, or retraining of staff. Overseas contracts for furniture that may specify rimu have been mentioned, but there has been no evidence produced that they could not be provided for from the stockpile and the rimu available on private land. August 31 would provide for a ten week transition, into spring and the next logging season. Rimu loggers, millers and end use manufacturers will never move to alternatives while Timberlands is providing cheap rimu. However an end to rimu logging on public land is one of the most predictable changes in government policy in recent years, anticipating this change ought to have been a matter of commercial prudence.