Environment Secretary Owen Paterson announced today a “new, independent public body will hold in trust the nation’s publicly-owned forests for future generations”.
Alongside the continuing work of the Forestry Commission, this new body will own, maintain and safeguard our forests on behalf of the public.
The
Woodland Trustsaid the Government is retaining the Independent Panel on Forestry's vision to “develop a new woodland culture and a resilient forestry and woodland sector' and its recognition of the importance of woodland expansion 'to achieve great economic, social and environmental benefits”.
Sue Holden,
Woodland TrustChief Executive, said:
“Woodland protection, improvement and expansion, cited by Government as priority areas today, carry equal weight and cannot be taken in isolation.
“To ensure we achieve truly resilient landscapes able to withstand threats not only from disease but also increasingly from development, the Woodland Trust will continue to champion a strategy that includes all three approaches.
"We are pleased to see Government's recognition of the need to deliver an increase in woodland cover up to 12%, which must ensure planting the right trees in the right places to protect, link and extend what little remains of our existing ancient woodland, as well as identifying appropriate areas to plant new woods and individual trees in towns and cities too.
"We welcome Government's reaffirmation that the public forest estate will be overseen by a publically accountable body but urgently need clarification on plans for the future of Forest Services as we are concerned that this remains uncertain.
"As the UK's leading woodland conservation
charity, we will continue to work with Government to ensure it puts the right policy, incentives, public agencies and resources in place to deliver what is needed to ensure our forests, woods and trees are protected and valued for future generations."
Mr Paterson said:
“I want to put the future of our public forests on a clear and firm footing. Our forests and woodland will remain secured in public ownership for the people who enjoy them, the businesses that depend on them and the wildlife that flourishes in them.
“A new, independent body will ensure our woods are held in trust and managed for the long term benefit of future generations, nature and the economy.
“We all care passionately about our woodlands, which is why I share the Independent Panel’s vision for the future of our forests. We have listened to views of woodland organisations, interest groups, businesses and the public and their ideas have also helped to shape this policy.
“Our woodland economy has the potential to create jobs and growth, and the action plan the forestry industry is establishing will set out a road map to achieve that. Most importantly of all, we need to look after this precious resource. Recent pest and disease outbreaks have underlined that in addition to increasing woodland we must protect what we have and help others to do so.”
The
Woodland Trustsaid it will “hold Government to account on those promises it has made today, especially around woodland expansion and the protection and restoration of ancient woodland”.