Sale of English Woodlands

[Gerry Webster]

It appears that the plan to sell off English public forests is being revived. For more information & a new petition against the sale see here:

https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/keep-our-woods-safe

[Martin Baxendale]

Incredible!! I've signed.

[Maren]

Me too.

[Anthony Darby]

..and me. I still have an address in the UK, so post code no problem! 

[Maggi Young]

Crikey, I thought that was one battle won - ah well, off to fight again.

A quote from the petition site: There are worrying signs that the government might be trying to revive plans to sell off England’s woodlands. We need to move fast to stop them and keep our woods safe for future generations.

The government’s forests panel is getting ready to publish its report next week. Insiders say that the government are trying some last minute manoeuvring to convince the panel to back another sell-off. We’ve got a week to convince them not to cave in to political pressure and stand up for our beautiful woodlands instead.

Please add your name to the petition to the Forests Panel:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/keep-our-woods-safe

[Michael J Campbell]

I can't, the usual postcode problem.

[Rafa]

This is that we use to call in our Ecologist Association "Casus Belli", it is simply intolerable. As I can not sing against it I will send this link to my friend Ivor in Norwich, he was teacher and knows many peaople that could sing.

In Spain there are people that still thinking that nature destruction is a valid way of life, and they think it is possible to scape from economical crisis buiding a developpment in a unspoiled beach in Cádiz called El Palmar.

[Gerry Webster]

This is the text of an Early Day Motion submitted to Parliament by Caroline Lucas MP:

Early day motion 267


PUBLIC FOREST ESTATE

    * Session: 2012-13
    * Date tabled: 26.06.2012
    * Primary sponsor: Lucas, Caroline
    * Sponsors:
          o Campbell, Ronnie
          o Caton, Martin
          o Corbyn, Jeremy
          o Lloyd, Tony
          o Qureshi, Yasmin

That this House notes that the Independent Panel on Forestry is due to publish its report and recommendations to Government on the future of our public woods in early July; believes that public ownership of the Public Forest Estate must be secured through new legislation; and further believes that the rich cultural, historical and natural diversity of our forests and woods, and full access to them, is best protected under the continued stewardship of the Forestry Commission, fully resourced to sustainably manage and expand our multi-purpose Public Forest Estate now and in the future.

[Gerry Webster]

Fom The Independent this morning:

"The Independent Panel on Forestry, set up after the outcry prompted by the bid to dispose of public woodlands to businesses, communities and charities, said the estate should remain in public ownership as land held in trust for the nation.

The panel said the Government needs to value woodlands for all the benefits they provide for people, nature and the economy and to invest in the public forest estate to avoid having to sell off woods to balance the books.

Responding to the report, Mrs Spelman said: "Our forests will stay in public hands. We will not sell the public forest estate".

I hope this is the end of the matter but this lot are cunning & persistent.

[John Aipassa]

That's good news Gerry.

To value money above nature's treasures is such a short term act. I am glad the public can keep enjoying the woods.

[Neil]

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18690019

[Gerry Webster]

Here is a comment on the recent developments which I have just received from Caroline Lucas MP:

"The Independent Panel report is less clear about the role of the Forestry Commission moving forward than it is about ownership of the forests, and the Government’s response so far is an ongoing cause for concern. They want to pursue new models including private finance and I will be seeking reassurances that this does not include discredited PFI funding. I will also continue to campaign against cuts and job losses at the Forestry Commission, which risk undermining its ability to manage and develop the forest estate".