Government reviews woodlands

By Andrew Shirley

LANDOWNERS and farmers are being invited to submit their views on the governments Sustaining Englands Woodlands review.

Unveiled in April 2001, the scheme aims to establish methods of sustainable management for existing woodland outside the Forestry Commissions own Estate, but with less reliance on traditional grants.

There is 1m ha (2.47m acres) of woodland in England, of which 20% is owned or leased by the FC, and the organisation estimates that only 30% of the balance is actively managed.

“We need to understand the perspective of owners with whom we are not currently engaged, and find ways of getting as many woods as possible into sustainable management,” said Elliot Morley, minister responsible for forestry.

Copies of the consultation document are available by contacting 01223 314546.