Sutton to challenge China building code

By CHRIS DANIELS forestry writer

A draft Chinese building code that discriminates against New Zealand pine is being challenged by Trade Minister Jim Sutton.

Sutton, who left for China over the weekend, has been asked by the New Zealand timber industry to try to change the code so that New Zealand pine can compete against American timber.

Until now, Chinese officials have banned the use of any wood in building construction as the quality of locally produced wood is often poor and there is a cultural bias against using it.

James Griffiths, chief executive of the Forest Industries Council, said the contents of the code would have a major impact on New Zealand industry. There were 21.1 million housing starts in China each year, a huge market closed to New Zealand pine.

The draft building code would disadvantage New Zealand if implemented unchanged.

It was written with the assistance of the United States timber industry, and was heavily oriented towards North American species and US timber sizes.

Griffiths said it was fair enough that the Americans had used their position to try to do this.

"It's not a US plan to shaft New Zealand, it's a US plan to promote their products," he said.

"It means we can't rely on the Americans to make the case for radiata pine.

"New Zealand has to make the case for radiata pine. That's why we need Mr Sutton up there raising it."

The growth in forestry exports to China was described last week as explosive by Fletcher Challenge Forests chief executive Terry McFadgen.

China's deficit of wood is predicted to be more than 60 million cu m in 2010. Our wood harvest is now less than 20 million cu m.