§ Lord Westburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they will issue guidance on the preparation of forest strategies.
§ Lord StrathclydeMy right honourable and learned friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Wales have today announced the issue of a new circular which provides guidance to relevant local authorities on the drawing up of forestry strategies for their areas. The issue of the circular follows up a consultation exercise held earlier in the year, announced as part of the Action for the Countryside initiative.
The main thrust of forest policy has changed over recent years. Increasingly, new forests are designed with multiple objectives in mind. The value of forests for landscape, recreation and wildlife, as well as a general environmental resource, is now seen by government as being equally as important as timber production. Accordingly it is increasingly important that new forests are located in the right places. Indicative Forestry Strategies will provide a means of identifying preferred locations for new woodlands as well as areas where such expansion may be inappropriate, because of environmental or other reasons.
I am arranging for copies of the circular to be placed in the Library of the House.