Permanent native grasslands, often maintained by traditional herding and transhumance practices, have been found to be more effective at carbon storage than planted forests. Not to mention the added benefit of increased biodiversity in local flora and fauna.

Again, it’s like 99% clear that the Farmers Federation of New Zealand doesn’t mean this kind of grassland of course, but my point is still that planting pines for the sake of planting them is not better than not using the land at all, or to go over it with sheep and cattle.