31 January 2013
The RSPB say they are encouraged by how the
Government has responded to the recommendations from the Independent Panel on
Forestry on the future of England’s woodlands, but they must now turn the
positive words into reality.
In its response, launched this morning [31 Jan],
the Government confirmed the future of public forests. However, the report
leaves many questions regarding the long-term funding unanswered.
Encouraging proposals
Dr Mike Clarke, RSPB chief executive and former
Forestry Panel member, said: “Whilst these proposals are encouraging, they
won’t help if our woodlands are starved of funding and effective management in
the long term. Healthy and well-managed woodlands are one of our greatest
natural assets. England’s public forests cost £20m a year to fund, but the
benefits they bring in terms of the environment and people’s health and
wellbeing are worth £350m. Today’s announcement signals Government is starting
to understand this wider value.
“If money-saving decisions affecting our natural environment are made in a piecemeal way, we risk squandering our natural assets.”
New public body
The Government’s response includes proposals to
create a new public body to oversee the Public Forest Estate held in trust for
the nation. The new body will have a clearer long-term remit and be accountable
to the nation for its use of money, delivery of wildlife, access and local
community needs.
No comments:
Post a Comment