PowerSwitch

Any comment on this?

The government wants to sell off more than half of our national forests to private firms. This could mean ancient woodlands are chopped down and ruined. Wildlife would have to make way for Centre Parcs style holiday villages, golf courses and commercial logging.

We need to stop these plans. Ancient forests like The Forest of Dean and Sherwood Forest are national treasures - once they are gone, they will be lost forever.

A huge petition will force the government to rethink its plans. If we can prove how strongly the public are against this, they will have to back down. Please sign the petition now.

http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/save ... s#petition

I've signed it but I think more than a petition will be needed.

It rather depends on how sold-off forests and woodlands are to be managed; the terms of sale and what controls over maintenance are retained by the state.

Replanting some of the logged trees with food-bearing trees would be something I would support.

I was watching Trees That Made Britain yesterday where they whizzed off to Sweden to see a timber farm. From what the programme makers were saying, timber production was abandoned in the UK many years ago because it was uncompetitive, but now there are machines that make it more cost effective.

Given that timber production is a good way to capture carbon, I think that there is a possibility that commercial timber production could now become worthwhile in the UK, so it could be a good thing. Most areas of the UK have a better climate for trees, so you have a competitive edge.

However, if the woodland is bought by companies who do not maintain the forest, it would be devastating.

I'd be happier to see a petition to enforce covenants on any sold woodland, to ensure that they are maintained as forest.

Britain's area of woodland is actually increasing. I'm doing my bit by only using British oak for my joinery business.

I can see your point Contadino but sadly "conditions" (or "burdens" north o'the Border) are practically impossible to enfore (though possible to punish...eventually) after land has been sold.