The Government's being urged to stop the push towards forestry, in the wake of the proposed closure of the Timaru meatworks

Yesterday, Alliance Group told around 600 staff, it's proposal to close the 139-year-old Smithfield freezing works.

Chief Executive Willie Wiese says it's due to a drop in sheep processing numbers - as land use has changed.

Federated Farmers meat and wool chairperson Toby Williams, says government needs to stop pushing sheep farmers from switching to pine plantations

He says there's potential for planting natives in a bespoke way, instead of full conversions.