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Forestry Minister and Napier MP Stuart Nash has acknowledged the problem of slash from forestry damaging land after Cyclone Gabrielle.
But he wouldn't be drawn on criticising the sector, saying an amount of slash will always be inevitable in severe weather events.
"My understanding it's about 40 percent from harvesting operations and the rest is indigenous..."
Nash said farming in the past was to blame for loads of silt to pour into Hawke's Bay.
He confirmed he is backing an inquiry into land use on highly erodable soils in the Tairāwhiti district.
He said they've got three people suitable to lead the inquiry, but could not give a completion date.