§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how the area of each of the UK's old-growth indigenous forest has changed in each decade since 1972; [51549]
(2) what steps her Department has taken to prevent illegal logging of old-growth indigenous forest within the United Kingdom; [51551]
(3) what areas of old-growth indigenous forest remain within the UK; and what levels of protection is given to each area; [51550]
(4) what logging has occurred within the UK's old-growth indigenous forest in each year since 1992; [51548]
(5) what the total area of old-growth indigenous forest is within the UK; and what the total area was at the start of each decade since 1972. [51552]
§ Mr. MorleyIn the UK, separate statistics are not held for "old-growth indigenous forest", for which there is no agreed definition. A number of measures are in place to protect all forests in the UK, including ancient semi-natural woodlands, where the biodiversity and cultural heritage values are highest. In particular, the felling of any type of woodland is controlled through felling regulations. Additionally, many woodlands are subject to further controls because they are within designated areas such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest or Special Areas of Conservation.