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Independent Panel on Forestry

 

The Independent Panel on Forestry published its Final Report at the beginning of July, 2012:

 

​Forestry Panel Final Report, (9.7 MB)

 

The Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman, is reported as saying, ”Our forests will stay in public hands“.

 

The report calls for the benefits of England’s woods and forests to be re-valued for all the services they provide. These include not only areas for recreation, but also clean air, clean water, habitats for wildlife, locking up carbon, shading in cities – even helping in flood reduction. Wood is the raw material for timber frame buildings, furniture, flooring, fuel, and of course paper. The report highlights the ‘triple bottom line’ that forestry delivers and calls for a revival of a woodland culture that appreciates how important trees are for people, for nature and the economy.

 

It highlights that the public forest estate is the single largest provider of outdoor leisure and recreation in England. And it is also the single largest timber producer, as well as being a vital habitat for wildlife.  Research shows that these elements are producing annual returns on investment estimated at £400 million. With over 80% of England’s woods and forests being outside of the public forest estate, the Panel is calling for more of these woods and forests to be sustainably managed to create a substantial impact.

 

Speaking on behalf of the Panel members, The Right Reverend James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool, said:

 

 “The Panel’s work over the last year has shown that our woodlands, managed sustainably, can offer solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing society today. We have consulted widely, visited woods and forests around the country and read over 42,000 submissions.

 

There is untapped potential within England’s woodlands to create jobs, to sustain skills and livelihoods, to improve the health and wellbeing of people and to provide better and more connected places for nature.

 

Most importantly, the public forest estate needs to be free from the electoral cycle, for trees have long lifecycles – decisions taken now are looking to a future that is 50, or even 100, years down the line.  And the bodies managing the public forest estate and advising woodland owners need to evolve and be free to become much more entrepreneurial. We recommend the expansion of woodland cover from 10% to 15% by 2060.”

 

The recommendations focus on maximising the social, environmental and business benefits of English woodland, so that the forestry industry will be on a more secure footing in the future. To achieve this we propose that the public forest estate should be defined in law as land held in trust for the nation so that it will always remain as a national asset. Bishop James states:

 

“Government investment is now needed to kick start these changes which will repay itself many times over in terms of public benefit.”

 

 

In response to the Panel's work, in January 2013 the government issued a policy statement:

 

​Forestry Policy Statement, (1.3 MB)

 

History

The Independent Panel on Forestry was set up after the public outcry at the government’s intention to sell off the public forests and the subsequent withdrawal of those proposals. The Independent Panel on Forestry sought the public’s views in a consultation ending on 31st July 2011. The Call for Views document outlined the Panel’s work and a range of questions it has been set up to answer. The Panel has published newsletters, the most recent being from May 2012.

 

​Terms of Reference, Independent Panel on Forestry

 

​A Bold Vision for England’s Forests, Woodland Trust

 

​TreeTree Response to the Call for Views