§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to develop a unified grant scheme to encourage and reward forest owners for developing conservation benefits to new and existing woods in the United Kingdom.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 25 January 1993]: I have been asked to reply.
The Government encourage forest and woodland owners to develop plans under the woodland grant scheme, which provides grants for the creation and management of woodlands to ensure that they yield a wide range of benefits, including conservation.
§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement outlining the timetable for the adoption of the Government's forestry strategy with special reference to restocking and replanting.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 25 January 1993]: I have been asked to reply.
The Government's aims and objectives for forestry, which include new planting and restocking, are described in the booklet "Forestry Policy for Great Britain", a copy of which is in the Library.
A number of forestry and environmental interests have suggested that the Government should prepare a forestry strategy which would set out how these aims and objectives are implemented. The Government will be considering the merits of preparing such a document in the light of discussions that the Forestry Commission are having with interested organisations.