The Forest Owners Association has embraced the new Government’s proposal to plant 1 billion trees over the next decade, touting not only the benefits for the sector but also a solution to the thorny issue of farmers and their forced contribution to the emission trading scheme. Earlier this week, both the Forest Owners Association and Wood Council of New Zealand highlighted the crucial need for increased forest planting and architectural use of more wood in construction. The Government is preparing the breakup the 15-year-old Ministry of Primary Industries, returning it to ministries of forestry, agriculture and fisheries. Forest Owners Association president Peter Clark said when forestry was under the Ministry of Primary Industries it was not getting the attention an industry should, given it earned $6 billion a year in exports.