NEW FOREST REGULATIONS IN EFFECT
NEW AMENDED REGULATIONS OF THE NATIONAL FOREST ACT
6 January 2025 - The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has amended the Regulations under the National Forests Act.
The new amendments relate primarily to enforcement and appeals.
Section 24A: Issuing of written notice
The new amendments make provision for the issuing of a written notice / directive to any person suspected of cutting, disturbing, damaging or destroying an indigenous tree in a natural forest - to stop the illegal activity.
Before issuing a written notice, the Minister must give the person advance written notice of his or her intention to issue such notice.
If the Minister has reason to believe that the giving of advance notice will result in significant harm to the natural forest habitat, the Minister may issue the written notice without a notice of intention.
Sections 25A to 25K: Administration and Processing of Appeals
The new amendments to the regulations make provision for the establishment of an Appeals Committee and its members, as well as the procedures for submitting an appeal and responding to an appeal.
An Appeal must be submitting within 20 days of the notification of the decision, and include a statement setting out the grounds of appeal.
The Respondent(s) must submit its responses within 10 days of receipt of the appeal submission.
The Appeal Administrator or Appeals Committee must make recommendations to the Appeal Authority within 30 days of receiving a response to an appeal.
The new amended regulations can be downloaded HERE.
