$85,000 fine could have been avoided by checking the property title before purchase

Another rural property issue today. This farmer who wanted to return land to native bush was fined $85,000 for felling Emissions Trading Scheme pine trees.

He said he recalled seeing something about the Kyoto Protocol in the deed when he bought the farm.

"But I didn't know what that meant," he said.

Please -- if you see anything on a title that you don't understand, ask questions -- get your lawyer to explain everything to you so that you do know exactly what you are buying. It can be expensive if you don't.

Kaikōura farmer's standoff over Emissions Trading Scheme fines for cleared pines