Save Our Forests
- Thread starter lostplanet
- Start date
-
Come along to the amazing Summer Moot (21st July - 2nd August), a festival of bushcrafting and camping in a beautiful woodland PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.
I really hope they dont go through with this sale, it is such a bad idea and I dont think many people would agree with it. In my opinion there is already such few woodlands left in the country to make way for agriculture. Trying to save £100 million, Im sure there are easier ways the government could makes these cutbacks and save the forests.
robin wood
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
I heard in the pub last night that Govt announced yesterday the sell off would not be going ahead but can't find a news item online. The source was a friend who is high up in countryside management, not sure if it is public yet.
Ah just found it http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ic-privatisation-ahead.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Caroline Spelman surely must go for this one having already done the same embarrassing u-turn with the Nature reserve sell off.
Ah just found it http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ic-privatisation-ahead.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Caroline Spelman surely must go for this one having already done the same embarrassing u-turn with the Nature reserve sell off.
I think they've only put on hold the 15% they were committed to selling outside of the consultation. The public consultation is a not so thinly disguised "how" do you want us to sell off the forestry (not "shall we") The bill when it becomes law will give the government powers to sell off the forestry. The sections that relate to that has to be amended or chucked out.
Go here for regular updates http://saveourwoods.co.uk/
Pablo
Go here for regular updates http://saveourwoods.co.uk/
Pablo
robin wood
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Looks like Spelman will have to go. Cameron publicly withdrew his backing for the scheme.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/stand...vid-cameron-signals-end-to-forest-sell-off.do
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/stand...vid-cameron-signals-end-to-forest-sell-off.do
It's looking good, but until those sections are chucked out or the bill doesn't proceed they can still sell off the Forests, if not now, then at a later date.
I heard on the radio 5 this morning that this was being "rethought after considerable public opposition" but the best I can find online is:
"The government is to make a partial climbdown tomorrow over proposals to sell off England’s woodlands, following pressure from campaigners and Liberal Democrats. The environment department is expected to announce that up to 80,000 hectares of England’s most cherished woodlands, such as the Forest of Dean and Cannock Chase, will be put into charitable trusts with the requirement that their current goals are maintained."
Best I could find (Guardian online) but it's dated the 27th of January...
"The government is to make a partial climbdown tomorrow over proposals to sell off England’s woodlands, following pressure from campaigners and Liberal Democrats. The environment department is expected to announce that up to 80,000 hectares of England’s most cherished woodlands, such as the Forest of Dean and Cannock Chase, will be put into charitable trusts with the requirement that their current goals are maintained."
Best I could find (Guardian online) but it's dated the 27th of January...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9400000/9400209.stm
Linkyness!
all saved
indeed due to adverse public reaction. GO PUBLIC! (finally)
Linkyness!
all saved
indeed due to adverse public reaction. GO PUBLIC! (finally)
Fantastic news... now lets see if they try to achieve exactly the same but in a sneakier manner... 
I dont know which is more shocking. The fact they tried to sell off every woodland. or the fact that public opinion/pressure made a difference.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12488847
there's the official article on the bbc skewed. looks like the Gov't are taking it on the chin and saying "ok we won't sell all of them off"
but they still intend to proceed with the sale of 15% of the forests - that's 40,000 hectares or 100,000 acres.
still going to be some job losses in the FC (400) but at least we're keeping most of our woodlands and not loosing them to private sectors.
there's the official article on the bbc skewed. looks like the Gov't are taking it on the chin and saying "ok we won't sell all of them off"
but they still intend to proceed with the sale of 15% of the forests - that's 40,000 hectares or 100,000 acres.
still going to be some job losses in the FC (400) but at least we're keeping most of our woodlands and not loosing them to private sectors.
Hope noone minds me reproducing this in full.
This is Caroline Spelman's statement on the future of forestry in England:
“I would first like to say that I take full responsibility for the situation that brings me before the House today.
“Let me make it clear that we have always placed the highest priority on preserving access and protecting our forests. But the forestry clauses in the Public Bodies Bill, published well before we launched the consultation, gave the wrong impression as to the Government’s intentions.
“That is why I am today announcing three steps which will allow for more measured and rational debate about the future direction of forestry policy.
“First, I have taken a decision to end the consultation on the future of the Public Forest Estate and I take full responsibility for that. I am doing so because it is quite clear from the early responses to the consultation that the public and many MPs are not happy with the proposals we set out.
“Second, the Government will support the removal of the forestry clauses from the Public Bodies Bill, currently at committee stage in the House of Lords.
“And thirdly I would like to announce that I am establishing an independent Panel to consider forestry policy in England. It will report to me with its findings this autumn. The Panel will advise me on the future direction of forestry and woodland policy in England, on the role of the Forestry Commission, and on the role of the Public Forest Estate. The Panel will include representatives of key environmental and access organisations alongside representatives of the forestry industry. I will shortly publish its membership and terms of reference.
“If there is one clear message from this experience, it is that people cherish their forests and woodlands and the benefits they bring. My first priority throughout this period of debate has been securing a sustainable future for our woodlands and forests. On many occasions in the House last autumn, Ministers gave assurances that our aim in all of this has been to do more to maintain and enhance the public benefits delivered by forestry – from recreational access to wildlife protection; from tackling climate change to sustaining a wide range of small businesses. That is why my ambition to provide a better future for our forests is undiminished.
“We have already heard positive suggestions about how we can do this – for heritage forests and all other woodlands. We have spoken to the RSPB, the National Trust, the Woodland Trust, the Wildlife Trusts, the Ramblers and other groups. The Forestry Commission has itself acknowledged that change is needed and will of course be fully engaged in this process going forward, as I know they have many ideas to contribute.
“We have also been listening to MPs on all sides of the House many of whom have set up their own initiatives with local groups. We want to support them in this.
“Finally, I am sorry, we got this one wrong, but we have listened to people’s concerns. I would like to thank colleagues for their support through what has been a difficult time. I now want to move forward in step with the public. I hope that the measures I have announced today, signalling a fresh approach, demonstrate my intention to do the right thing for our forests and woodlands.”
This is Caroline Spelman's statement on the future of forestry in England:
“I would first like to say that I take full responsibility for the situation that brings me before the House today.
“Let me make it clear that we have always placed the highest priority on preserving access and protecting our forests. But the forestry clauses in the Public Bodies Bill, published well before we launched the consultation, gave the wrong impression as to the Government’s intentions.
“That is why I am today announcing three steps which will allow for more measured and rational debate about the future direction of forestry policy.
“First, I have taken a decision to end the consultation on the future of the Public Forest Estate and I take full responsibility for that. I am doing so because it is quite clear from the early responses to the consultation that the public and many MPs are not happy with the proposals we set out.
“Second, the Government will support the removal of the forestry clauses from the Public Bodies Bill, currently at committee stage in the House of Lords.
“And thirdly I would like to announce that I am establishing an independent Panel to consider forestry policy in England. It will report to me with its findings this autumn. The Panel will advise me on the future direction of forestry and woodland policy in England, on the role of the Forestry Commission, and on the role of the Public Forest Estate. The Panel will include representatives of key environmental and access organisations alongside representatives of the forestry industry. I will shortly publish its membership and terms of reference.
“If there is one clear message from this experience, it is that people cherish their forests and woodlands and the benefits they bring. My first priority throughout this period of debate has been securing a sustainable future for our woodlands and forests. On many occasions in the House last autumn, Ministers gave assurances that our aim in all of this has been to do more to maintain and enhance the public benefits delivered by forestry – from recreational access to wildlife protection; from tackling climate change to sustaining a wide range of small businesses. That is why my ambition to provide a better future for our forests is undiminished.
“We have already heard positive suggestions about how we can do this – for heritage forests and all other woodlands. We have spoken to the RSPB, the National Trust, the Woodland Trust, the Wildlife Trusts, the Ramblers and other groups. The Forestry Commission has itself acknowledged that change is needed and will of course be fully engaged in this process going forward, as I know they have many ideas to contribute.
“We have also been listening to MPs on all sides of the House many of whom have set up their own initiatives with local groups. We want to support them in this.
“Finally, I am sorry, we got this one wrong, but we have listened to people’s concerns. I would like to thank colleagues for their support through what has been a difficult time. I now want to move forward in step with the public. I hope that the measures I have announced today, signalling a fresh approach, demonstrate my intention to do the right thing for our forests and woodlands.”
