Masterton Young News Today

A report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has found a very large number of pine trees would need to be planted to make a significant dent in farming emissions.

Minister of Forestry Stuart Nash says the country has an opportunity to put in safeguards that are needed to balance the risks created by permanent exotic forests.

Figures provided to RNZ by the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) show in the last three years 36,000 hectares of farmland has been approved for sale to overseas investors under the special forestry test.