No images? Click here Emissions returns for pre-1990 forest land deforested in 2019 are due by 31 March 2020Any landowner who deforested pre-1990 forest land in 2019, unless it was exempt or offset land, must submit an emissions return by 31 March 2020. If you deforested pre-1990 forest land and you didn’t formally notify the Ministry for Primary Industries – Te Uru Rākau, please notify us as soon as possible before submitting a deforestation emissions return. Pre-1990 deforestation – frequently asked questionsWho is required to notify Te Uru Rākau and submit a deforestation emissions return?The person(s) who owned the land when it was deforested must notify Te Uru Rākau and submit an emissions return. A person who didn’t own the land may be the deforester instead, if:
Is my cleared pre-1990 forest land deforested?Cleared pre-1990 forest land is deforested only if has been converted to a different use or if it is not replanted or regenerated sufficiently.
If you deforest less than 2 hectares of pre-1990 forest land between January 2018 and 31 December 2022 you are not required to notify Te Uru Rākau and submit an emissions return. When did I deforest my pre-1990 forest land?If your pre-1990 forest land was converted to a different land use, e.g. pasture or residential use, the date of deforestation was the date the first hectare was cleared. If your pre-1990 forest land was cleared but it was not converted to a different land use, it may be deforested if it is not replanted or regenerated sufficiently. This can occur 4, 10 or 20 years after the date the first hectare was cleared. You must submit an emissions return between 1 January and 31 March in any year following pre-1990 deforestation in the previous calendar year. Will I be able to use the $25 fixed price option for my deforestation liability?The fixed price option is available for you to meet your emissions liability. However, the fixed price option of $25 cannot be used to meet pre-1990 deforestation liability if your emissions return is late or if Te Uru Rākau amends your emissions return. Please ensure your emissions return is correct and submitted on time. When might penalties apply for pre-1990 deforestation?If you are required to submit a deforestation emissions return but don’t submit it on time, or if Te Uru Rākau amends your emissions return, you may be liable to pay an excess emissions penalty. This is in addition to your deforestation liability. If you become aware of an error in your deforestation emissions return after you have submitted it, please voluntarily disclose the error to Te Uru Rākau as soon as possible. How do I find out more?You can read more about deforesting pre-1990 forest land on the Te Uru Rākau website. You can also get in touch by calling us at 0800 CLIMATE (0800 254628) and selecting option 3, or by emailing us at climatechange@mpi.govt.nz. |