§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to introduce statutory protection for ancient woodland in England. [105226]
§ Mr. MorleyA number of measures are already in place to protect all woodland in England, including ancient semi-natural woodlands, where the biodiversity and cultural heritage values are the 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.
§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the amount of ancient woodland in England. [105227]
§ Mr. MorleyWe estimate the total area of ancient woodland in England to be 334,000 hectares, as set out in the UK Indicators of Sustainable Forestry. The publication can be viewed on the Forestry Commission's website at http://www.forestrv.qov.uk/sfindicators
§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase woodland cover in(a) the East Riding of Yorkshire, (b) Yorkshire and the Humber and (c) England. [105276]
§ Mr. MorleyWith support from the Woodland Grant Scheme and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme, private woodland owners in Yorkshire and the Humber, including the East Riding, created some 850 hectares of new woodland over the last two years. The forthcoming Regional Forestry Framework is expected to identify priorities and actions for forestry in the Region, including further woodland creation.
As regards our Forestry Strategy for England as a whole, we are currently reviewing our grant schemes with a view to achieving, among other things, improved targeting of support for new woodland. At the moment, our target is to create 30,000 hectares of new woodland over the seven year period of the England Rural Development Programme.