Sunday 7 August 2011

Forestry News Update

 
Surveys have shown local spread of P ramorum in those areas already infected, but of a relatively minor scale. The hard winter may have helped to reduce spread. New outbreak sites have been identified in Derbyshire, Lancashire and Isle of Mull.  If you see suspicious symptoms refer to: www.forestry.gov.uk/pramorum Tel: 0117 372 1070 or Email:  plant_health_england@forestry.gsi.gov.uk 
Strategy to tackle pest and disease threats to Britain's trees
A new, interim strategy for protecting Britain’s trees and forests from pests and diseases was launched recently, pending an integrated cross-government approach to biosecurity, following the current EU review of its plant health regime. It is a response to the increasing threat to trees and woods from pests and diseases arising from the rapid expansion of global trade and the changing climate. It was prepared by FC under the direction of the GB Biosecurity Programme Board, representing the forest industries and the wider forestry and plant health community. Read more..
 
 
ConFor submitted evidence to, and Stuart Goodall appeared in front of, an inquiry by the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology into forest research and the effects of the 2010 Spending Review on the UK's ability to conduct and deliver forest research. Links to press release and evidence
 
Forestry achieves returns of 20%
The 2010 IPD Forestry Index, which ConFor supports, was launched in Edinburgh, 22 June 2011. Forestry returns in 2010 reached their highest levels since 2007, at 20%. For the fifth consecutive year, forestry outperformed commercial property markets. As a strategic limited resource and with strong demand from all sectors, underlying investor sentiment has remained strong. As a result, forestry was one of the few property asset classes to avoid negative returns in the downturn. Read more..

Successful first meeting with new Scotland forestry minister
ConFor’s chief executive Stuart Goodall and George McRobbie from Tilhill met the new minister with responsibility for forestry in Scotland, Stewart Stevenson, MSP. Read more..
 
 
 
ConFor organised a summit on 01 June 2011 at Battleby for a cross-section of the industry to agree what needs to be done to the grant support mechanism so that we can successfully deliver the Scottish Forestry Strategy. Read more..
 
 
A new advisory group is being set up to help identify land best suited for tree-planting in Scotland. The announcement, on the 23 June 2011, signals the first step in the delivery of the Scottish Government’s Land Use Strategy and was made by Richard Lochhead, cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment.
The aim is to create stronger integration between the forestry and farming sectors, to ensure the balance between increasing woodland cover and safeguarding food production is effectively achieved.  Read more.. A second round of the FC Scotland leasing scheme was also announced, which offers productive woodland to be created on farmland, which after 10 years, is returned gratis to the farmer.

 
 
Following “encouragement” from ConFor and in recognition of its lobbying around forest loss, FCS has agreed to roll out to the whole of Scotland, the pilot study conducted in part of Perth & Argyll conservancy to monitor ongoing losses of forest.  There will be two aspects to this work.  First, a once-only study on the changes to forest area and species due to forest management, comparing now and forecasts for 10 and 20 years, under the categories of Sitka spruce, mixed conifers, broadleaves and open ground, and reported on a conservancy basis.  This will take approximately six months to complete. 
At the same time there will be ongoing monitoring set up to record the same changes due to “unconditional felling”, ie windfarms, habitat restoration and other development.
 
 
ConFor organised a successful visit for Pam Warhurst, FC chair, to a privately owned woodland and a fencing sawmill.  The owner and UPM Tilhill manager hosted the visit in a Sitka plantation in Lancashire, where restructuring is taking place.   With much lively debate, it was a great opportunity for Pam to see the ambitious approach to sustainable forest management, in the face of a range of challenges, taken by the private sector. 
 
 
The white paper sets out a detailed programme of action to repair damage done to the environment in the past, and urges everyone to get involved in helping nature to flourish at all levels – from neighbourhoods to national parks.
The Natural Choice, the first white paper (policy) on the natural environment in 20 years, is directly linked to research in the National Ecosystem Assessment, also published recently (http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/), showing strong economic arguments for safeguarding and enhancing the natural environment. Though the challenge of capturing the value of forests in concrete, financial terms remains. Read more..
 
 
 
The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) released its 3rd annual report to Parliament recently. The CCC is an independent body established under the Climate Change Act to advise the government on emissions targets, and to report to Parliament on progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The CCC's progress report introduced targets and indicators for forestry for the first time.  The target is for at least 21,000 ha/yr woodland creation from 2015.  Read more..
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Robert Bland, chair of ConFor's woodfuel suppliers group, joined FC chair Pam Warhurst in launching FC England's woodfuel implementation plan. The implementation plan will increase wood supply, an increasingly important objective shared by all working in forestry, by bringing more privately owned woods into management. It will also focus on supporting the development of local scale woodfuel use, a key objective of ConFor and the new suppliers group. 
 

 
 
 
In compliance with the spending review 2010, which requires FC to make 25% savings, FC England has set out its restructuring plans. 
Its corporate plan is at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/forestry.nsf/byunique/hcou-4ucf8j
 
 
 
 
Great Britain has more woodland than previous estimates indicated, according to provisional results from the National Forest Inventory.   An increase in woodland area of 225,000 ha (8%), compared with the estimate for 2010, has been identified. The use of high-tech aerial photography, satellite imagery and the inclusion of small urban woods, has contributed to the substantial increase.  It brings the new, estimated, total area of woodland to 2,982,000 ha (13%), across England, Scotland and Wales. Read more..
 
 
In order to clarify the positive nature of ConFor’s work and to more accurately reflect the sector which ConFor represents, as well as give a more contemporary feel, especially to the general public, ConFor is re-branding, including a new strapline, Promoting forestry and wood.  Trees, woods and timber currently enjoy a high profile, with increasing political recognition of the positive roles and contribution of the sector.
Publication of the National Ecosystem Report is just one recent example of wider recognition and it is essential that ConFor maximises opportunities surrounding such media interest.
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The ConFor/WFBP (Wales Forest Business Partnership) marquee will be hosting events throughout Forestry Day on Tuesday 19 July 2011. See programme 
 
Not to be missed are Using home-grown timber at 12 noon, featuring Dainis Dauksta on larch, Doug Hughes on timber in architecture and Alistair Yeomans describing how to use myForest.
This will be followed by the legendary John Clegg & Co sponsored forest food buffet, featuring grey squirrel for the first time!
 
Finally at 4.30pm will be the opportunity to ask questions of senior FC Wales and Welsh government officers about Glastir, grants, policy and the proposed merger.
 
 
 
The opening event in the ConFor stand at this year’s show will be an “Any Questions”-style panel discussion at 9.30am, chaired by Sir Henry Studholme, on the theme of the future of forests in England. The other panellists are, Simon Hodgson, chief executive of FC England, Sue Holden, chief executive of The Woodland Trust and ConFor’s Stuart Goodall.  Members are asked to submit questions in advance, from which a selection will be made.  Help us to make this a lively debate. jane.karthaus@confor.org.uk There are plans to offer breakfast to invited guests beforehand, but sponsors are urgently needed, for this and other opportunities.  Please contact jane.karthaus@confor.org.uk
 
 
The following were included in the Queen’s birthday honours:
John Wilding MBE, head forester at Clinton Devon Estates, for services to the environment.
Dr Sophie Churchill OBE, chief executive of The National Forest Company, for services to the environment.
Judith Webb MBE, forestry commissioner, for services to conservation in England and Wales.
 
 
 
It was reported recently in the Scottish media that the Land Reform Act is to be challenged by a landowner on the Isle of Skye, where crofters want to take over part of a large estate.  A sheriff directed the Court of Session in Edinburgh to decide whether the Scottish Land Reform Act 2003 is consistent with the European Convention on Human Rights.
 
 
 
Nick Clegg and Vince Cable announced, on 23 May 2011, that the Green Investment Bank would be an ambitious institution that will aim to, "catalyse an additional £15 billion of investment in the green infrastructure”.  Nick Clegg stressed that the bank would be an independent organisation with a potential initial remit to focus on offshore wind, waste and non-domestic energy efficiency. 
 
 
 
Just a reminder that the task force would still like to receive comments up to the end of July.  A brief email highlighting your particular gripes/ideas/suggestions is all that is required. www.forestry.gov.uk/regulationtaskforce
 
 
 
Another reminder that with ticks active again, anyone going out and about in the countryside should think about protecting themselves.  The consequences of Lyme disease can be very unpleasant and serious. Read more..
 
 
 
The annual report and accounts for the Forest Industries Education and Provident Fund for the year ended 31 December 2010 is available from jane.karthaus@confor.org.uk
 
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