Forestry
Independent Panel on Forestry
The Independent Panel on Forestry was established in March 2011 to advise on the future direction of forestry and woodland policy in England and on the role of the Forestry Commission in implementing policy. On 8 December 2011 the Panel published its progress report. Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has welcomed this progress report. The Independent Panel on Forestry’s final report is due in Spring 2012.
Domestic forestry has a key role to play in meeting the government’s priorities of:
- supporting and developing British farming and encouraging sustainable food production
- helping to enhance the environment and biodiversity to improve quality of life
- supporting a strong and sustainable green economy, resilient to climate change
England’s trees, woods and forests, ranging from individual street trees to networks of woodland in the countryside are a unique asset. They are rich in biodiversity, popular places for recreation and leisure, producers of products such as fuel and wood for use in our daily lives and an important part of our response to climate change. We need to manage and expand this resource sustainably, for ours and future generations, recognising all of these multiple benefits. In England, the Forestry Commission is principally responsible to the Secretary of State for leading the delivery of policy for trees woods and forests.
- Full details can be found on the Forestry Commission website.
Latest news
- 8 December 2011 – The Independent Panel on Forestry progress report has been published
- 10 November 2011 – Farm and forestry improvement scheme round 1 details published
- 27 October 2011 – Forestry Regulation Taskforce report published – Forestry Commission website
- 18 October 2011 - Spelman launches fightback against tree disease
Forestry Regulation Taskforce
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Jim Paice has met with Chris Starr, Chair of the Forestry Regulation Task Force and Bishop James, Chair of the Independent Forestry Panel, to discuss the Task Force’s report on cutting red tape in the forestry sector.
The report, published on 27 October made over 40 recommendations to improve the regulatory landscape for the forestry sector. This follows an extensive review of the regulations that affect both the management of existing forests and the establishment of new ones, and the way they are implemented. At the meeting, the Minister of State agreed with Chris Star that there would be extension of the principle of earned recognition to forestry, as well as to farming (as recommended earlier this year by the Farming Regulation Task Force). To inform the Government’s response, Chris also agreed to do further work to give more detail on the recommendations concerning the concept of a Woodland Partnership.
The Government has already identified areas from the report where it can start work in advance of the formal response. These are reducing paperwork by making all forms available electronically, looking to widen the internal review of the way the Forestry Commission processes grants and producing a UK Forestry Standards quick start guide. Defra, working with the Forestry Commission and other Government Departments, will now consider the report in more detail, reporting in the early New Year.
Further information on the Terms of Reference, membership and the related meeting notes can be found on the Forestry Commission website at
National Forest
The National Forest Company leads the creation of The National Forest, a new, wooded landscape for the nation across 200 square miles of central England. The National Forest Company was established by the government in April 1995. It is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Defra.
The forest will provide benefits in the form of landscape improvement, recreation, education and nature conservation. In doing so it will help regenerate the economy of the area it covers. Further information can be found on the National Forest website.
Community Forest Programme
Community Forests looks to improve community involvement, inclusion, environmental regeneration and green infrastructure creation.
The programme works in partnership with local authorities and local, regional and national partners to revitalise derelict land into high quality environments.
Further information can be found on the Community Forest website.