This week, my postbag is overflowing with letters concerning theproposed selloff of our Public Forestry Estate.
The letter writers are outraged and distraught. A scheme, started in1919 to replenish the country’s depleted woodland after the First World War,has now become a precious public amenity. The pendulum has irreversibly swung.
I do understand. In an age where we live, work and travel ever closertogether, space and the freedom to breathe are critical.
Our forests loom large in our national psyche. From William theConqueror, the Armada, the archers at Agincourt and on through to Robin Hood,they form part of our history.
And certainly, I believe that nothing should be done to deprive us ofaccess to them.
But I understand the Government’s concerns. The Forestry Commission isnot without its critics and the status quo is costly to maintain.
In addition, managing woodland effectively in tandem with publicaccess is a hard balance to strike.
The Government is intent on finding a way to reduce the role of thestate in managing woodlands and forests, while local communities take on agreater role.
But commercial forestry is complex – too much so to be left to localcharities or individual buyers.
Should this go ahead, I believe the most stringent safeguards must beput in place.
Access to the heritage forests – such as the New Forest or the Forestof Dean – must be protected forever.
Conservation, biodiversity and restoration of ancient woodland mustremain priorities.
Commercial forests must stay open to the public with only those areasbeing worked closed off temporarily.
This is a consultation exercise and I am certain that the Governmentmust be aware by now of the strength of public feeling.
Certainly, if my postbag is anything to go by, this is of huge concernto my constituents.
I can assure them that I will be looking further into this. Ourforests and woodlands are far too precious to lose.