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Timberlands West Coast remains a financially viable exotic plantation forestry company without the indigenous forest lands being transferred to the Department of Conservation, says Forestry Minister Pete Hodgson.

Any job losses on the West Coast as a result of ending Timberlands West Coast's rimu logging are likely to be balanced by growth in exotic forestry, says Minister Responsible for Timberlands Pete Hodgson.

The proposal to end native timber logging on Crown-managed land by 31 March 2002 would achieve a significant conservation gain while minimising the risk of job losses, the shareholding ministers of Timberlands West Coast Ltd said today.

"The consultancy arrangement between Mr Kit Richards and Timberlands West Coast Ltd is untenable in the view of the shareholder," Minister Responsible for Timberlands West Coast Pete Hodgson said today.

"The idea that ministers might have committed a crime in stopping the Timberlands West Coast beech scheme is kind of bizarre," Minister Responsible for Timberlands West Coast Pete Hodgson said today.

Minister Responsible for Timberlands West Coast Pete Hodgson today welcomed the decision by the company to end the consultancy arrangement with Mr Kit Richards.