Desmond Swayne's Answer to concerns about woodland sell off.
Desmond Swayne TD MP
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
www.desmondswaynemp.com
Nothing is quite as reported. I hope the minister's letter below is of some reassurance. DS
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1A 3JR
Telephone 08459 335577
Email helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Website www.defra.gov.uk
29 October 2010
From Jim Paice MP Minister of State for Agriculture and Food
Dear colleague
Forestry in England: A New Strategic Approach
In view of recent speculation I am writing to explain the reason behind the inclusion of powers for modernisation of the forestry legislation in the Public Bodies Bill, which has just been introduced into Parliament.
Contrary to some beliefs, the Forestry Commission’s estate covers only 18% of England’s wooded areas. Nevertheless it is of great importance in the provision of access, biodiversity, carbon storage and many other public benefits. Some of it is producing much of our domestic timber, other areas are almost entirely devoted to public benefit and others are a mix of the two.
We are committed to shifting the balance of power from ‘Big Government’ to ‘Big Society’ by giving individuals, businesses, civil society organisations and local authorities a much bigger role in protecting and enhancing the natural environment and a much bigger say about our priorities for it.
By including enabling powers in the Bill we will be in a position to make reforms to managing the estate. We will consult the public on our proposals later this year, and will invite views from a wide range of potential private and civil society partners on a number of new ownership options and the means to secure public benefits. We envisage a managed programme of reform to further develop a competitive, thriving and resilient forestry sector that includes many sustainably managed woods operating as parts of viable land-based businesses.
We will not compromise the protection of our most valuable and biodiverse forests. Full measures will remain in place to preserve the public benefits of woods and forests under any new ownership arrangements. Tree felling is controlled through the licensing system managed by the Forestry Commission, public rights of way and access will be unaffected, statutory protection for wildlife will remain in force and there will be grant incentives for new planting that can be applied for. When publishing our proposals we will explore further the options for securing and increasing the wide range of public benefits currently delivered by Government ownership and how they might be achieved at lower cost.
This will be a new approach to ownership and management of woodlands and forests, with a reducing role for the State and a growing role for the private sector and civil society. At the same time, it reflects the Government’s firm commitment to the continued conservation of the biodiversity and other public benefits which forests and woodland provide. These aims are not incompatible with alternative models of ownership, or our commitment to the natural environment.
JIM PAICE MP
> Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:31:36 +0000
> To: desmondswayne@hotmail.com
> From: stories@grahamrogers.co.uk
> Subject: Our woodlands shouldn't be for sale
>
> From:
> graham rogers
> 60 whitsbury road
> fordingbridge sp6 1la
>
> Dear Mr Swayne,
>
> Some British forests are already in private ownership, but why is it thought necessary to sell off public property? This seems a long term loss for a short term gain!
>
> I believe in the preservation of a good amount of woodland in public ownership for future generations.
>
> Please tell me where you stand on this issue?
>
> I, along with the 85% of people polled recently, want to keep our New Forest and other national woodlands in public hands. Will you be willing to promise me that you will vote to keep the forests public?
>
> I look forward to hearing from you,
>
> Yours Sincerely,
>
> Graham Rogers
>
> Fordingbridge Hampshire
