§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the Forestry Commission agreed to the plan of operations in which 24 hectares of ancient Caledonian pine forest were felled in the Abernethy site of special scientific interest; and why the Nature Conservancy Council was not informed.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe Nature Concervancy Council was not consulted over the details of the proposed felling under the plan of operations because of a longstanding convention under the Basis II Dedication Scheme, which was closed to new applications in 1972, that consultations with third parties would take place only with the consent of the woodland owner. Such consent was not given in this case. The Forestry Commission was therefore placed in the position of having to exercise its judgment as to what constituted an acceptable compromise between the wish of the owner to manage the woodlands positively under the dedication scheme and the needs of conservation. As a result of negotiations between the owner and the Forestry Commission, the proposals originally put forward for felling under the plan of operations were substantially modified, and the commission was satisfied that the five-year plan it approved in 1980 represented a reasonable balance of interests.
39WThe Forestry Commission's policy since 1981 has been to withhold approval to plans of operations in the absence of agreement by the owner to any necessary consultations being held.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that no further ancient Caledonian pine woodland is felled in Scotland without consultation with the Nature Conservancy Council.
§ Mr. John MacKayIt is not current Forestry Commission policy to approve applications to fell Caledonian pine woodland in sites of special scientific interest unless consultations have taken place with the Nature Conservancy Council. Where such sites have been re-notified under the terms of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the owner is also required to give notice to the Nature Conservancy Council of any felling proposed.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all plans of operations agreed between the Forestry Commission and private owners involving native Caledonian pine woodland in Scotland.
§ Mr. John MacKayPlans of operations have been approved under the Forestry Commission's grant schemes which involve Caledonian pine woodland on the following properties:
Name of Property Region Amat Highland Coulin (two plans) Highland Rothiemurchus (three plans) Highland Cromdale and Mondhuie Highland Seafield Highland Abernethy Forest Lodge Highland Straanrui Highland Glenfeshie Highland North Abernethy Highland Conaglen Highland Glentanar Grampian Mar Lodge Grampian Ballochbuie Grampian Meggernie Tayside Lochs Tayside Blackmount Estate Strathclyde