§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what advice is given or conditions attached prior to the approval of plans of operation for private woodlands, in respect of nesting periods of birds and conservation in general, by the Forestry Commission;
(2) what advice is now given or conditions attached by the Forestry Commission, prior to the approval of felling licences, in respect of nesting periods of birds and conservation in general.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe Forestry Commission seeks to ensure that forestry operations approved in plans of operations and felling licences are compatible with the environment. Woodland owners generally adopt a responsible attitude towards the need to minimise disturbance to nesting birds during felling operations. It is not usually felt necessary, therefore, to introduce specific conditions for this purpose in plans of operations or felling licences, although this would be done in respect of woodlands in SSSIs if the Nature Conservancy Council asked for it.
Comprehensive advice on good environmental practice, including the protection of nesting birds, is available to private woodland owners in the "Forestry and Woodland Code" published by Timber Growers UK.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice the Forestry Commission now gives to landowners with private woodlands arising from the Wildlife and Countryside (Amendment) Act 1985; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayIt is the Forestry Commission's policy, before commencing consultations on forestry grant and felling applications, to try to ensure that they are sensibly drawn on silvicultural, land use, nature conservation or landscape grounds. Where necessary, the commission will return an application with suggestions as to how it might be modified in order to achieve an acceptable standard. The commission therefore encourages applicants to take care to see that adequate information about their planting or felling proposals is given and that in framing their proposals sufficient account is taken of amenity and conservation considerations, especially in areas designated for their landscape or conservation value.