§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how much British aid has been directed to the tropical forestry action plan to date; and how much is planned for the next three years;
(2) if he will place in the Library a copy of all the representations he has received about the advisability of continuing support for the tropical forestry action plan;
(3) what assessment has been made of the extent of deforestation resulting from the tropical forestry action plan; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what input his Department has had into the tropical forestry action plan; and what account he has taken of recommendations about its effectiveness;
(5) what specific measures are being adopted within the tropical forestry action plan to ensure the reversal of deforestation and the protection of biological diversity.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe tropical forestry action plan (TFAP) is not a fund or organisation to which donors contribute funds. It is a mechanism under which recipient countries review their forestry sectors, and donors can co-ordinate assistance and have a dialogue with each country about policy issues. The product is a national tropical forestry action plan for each country taking part in the process.
The TFAP requires strengthening. I called for its revision when I addressed the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) general conference last November. I said that policies relating to forests need examining and those that encourage deforestation need changing. Policies should encourage reaforestation and agroforestry, and better agricultural practices which help take the pressures off forests. They should take account of the knowledge and interests of the peoples of the forests. Shortly after the conference the FAO set up an independent review to examine the TFAP and make recommendations for reform. The review team visited London last month and met my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs as well as representatives of the timber trade and NGOs. It is due to report in the summer. I have placed a copy of ODA's written submission to the review in the Library of the House.
The ODA has supported or is supporting the preparation of national forestry action plans in 11 countries at a cost of £0.4 million; and we currently plan to assist with the preparation of a further nine plans. We are currently funding eight projects related to national 734W forestry action plans at a cost of £13 million. We are considering 22 further projects, the cost of which will depend on their precise design. All ODA assistance through the TFAP is subject to our normal rigorous appraisal and careful management.
ODA forestry advisers participate in the twice-yearly meetings of an informal group of technical advisers responsible for TFAP from donor agencies, and liaise with the TFAP co-ordinating unit within the FAO.
The FAO has been quoted in the New Scientist as saying that it is nonsense to say that the TFAP has promoted deforestation. The independent review should provide an assessment of the TFAP to date.
Specific measures to reverse deforestation and protect biological diversity are included in national tropical forestry action plans. Conserving forest ecosystems is one of the five priority areas highlighted when the TFAP was launched in 1985.
It is not normal practice to place departmental correspondence in the Library of the House.