§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknishasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is their policy on forestry in England that there should be no further new planting of conifers in England. [HL1671]
§ Lord DonoughueNo. Our forestry strategy for England, published last December, makes it clear that we wish to ensure that all forests bring multiple benefits to society. The new planting of conifers will continue to play an important part in helping us achieve this aim.
§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknishasked Her Majesty's Government:
What has been the production of timber from English conifer plantations in each of the last 10 years; and what is the estimate of such production in each of the next 20 years; and [HL1672]
What has been the demand for softwood by English timber users in each of the last 10 years; and what is the estimate of such demand over the next 20 years. [HL1673]
§ Lord DonoughueThe volumes of timber harvested from English conifer forests are given in the tables below. Information on the demand for softwood by English timber users is not available, but the volume of softwood timber used in England is considerably more than the production from English forests; the balance is imported from other countries.
31WA
Volumes of conifer timber harvested in England over the last 10 years Calendar year Thousands of cubic metres 1989 2,315 1990 2,495 1991 2,475 1992 2,645 1993 2,315 1994 2,565 1995 2,575 1996 2,605 1997 2,690 1998 (figure not yet available)
Forecast of conifer production in England in the next 20 years Calendar years Thousands of cubic metres per annum 1997–2001 2,640 2002–2006 2,940 2007–2011 3,380 2012–2016 3,560