§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to maintain and extend the area covered by native Caledonian pine in the next 20 years, in response to(a) the EC habitats and species directive and (b) the biodiversity convention signed at the United Nations conference on environment and development.
§ Sir Hector MonroThe Government recognise Caledonian pine forest as a priority habitat type of European importance, and as a significant component of United Kingdom biodiversity in respect of its genetic, species and habitat values. We are fully committed to supporting the international initiatives referred to by my hon. Friend and have already introduced measures for the management and extension of the area covered by Caledonian pine in Scotland.
Grants are available to private woodland owners for the regeneration and extension of native pinewoods, and since 1989, the Forestry Commission has grant-aided the planting and regeneration of over 6,000 hectares of native pines and associated broadleaves. This has increased the native pinewood area by one half. Owners of native 873W pinewoods are also eligible for management grants in return for maintaining their woods in a way that conserves their environmental value.
The Forestry Commission itself has a programme of enhancing the biodiversity value of the 3,000 hectares of native pinewoods in its care, and of doubling the area by the year 2000.