Mr Carson said the forestry firms planned to stick to their word.

Planting for fires Mr Pearce said the forestry industry already took steps to reduce fires from spreading.

David Wilson said the forestry debris built up at bridges and crews were mobilised to clear them.

She said the forestry, education and some live export industries are also suffering due to the coronavirus.

Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones said the forestry sector was only just recovering from a slowdown over last winter.

Mr Kennedy said the forestry land owned and operated by the council is tiny compared to that run by the big commercial foresters.

They said the forestry industry needed to be reformed in order to make it safer, and the development sent a strong message to forestry employers.

Ecologists said the Forestry Commission should rethink its plan to spray the woods for a second time.