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Forestry

The England Forestry Strategy

The most comprehensive statement of Government policy on all aspects of forestry is the Strategy for England’s Trees, Woods and Forests (2.6 MB). The Strategy was launched on 20 June 2007 and replaces the 1998 England Forestry Strategy, A New Focus for England’s Woodlands. 

The Strategy sets out the Government’s vision for England’s tree and woodland resource, in both rural and urban areas, over the next fifty years. Our priorities are to make sure that trees and woodlands play their part in meeting Government’s goals for natural resources, climate change, improved urban environments and a better quality of life for all.

Working with national and regional stakeholders we have identified five aims for government intervention in trees, woods and forests: to secure trees and woodlands for future generations; to ensure resilience to climate change; to protect and enhance natural resources; to increase the contribution that trees, woods and forests make to our quality of life; and to improve the competitiveness of woodland businesses and products.

These aims will set the revised agenda for delivery, some of which is well underway. For the Regional Forestry Frameworks, they will provide new national policy direction, which can ideally be incorporated alongside regional priorities as part of ongoing monitoring and review. At a national level the Forestry Commission will lead in developing a joint Delivery Plan with Natural England, and will be engaging with stakeholders over the next year.

Further information on the consultation process that informed the new Strategy, including a specially commissioned report by CJC Consulting ‘Review of Evidence for the Formulation of Forestry Policy in England’, can be obtained from http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/forestry-strategy/index.htm

The Forestry Commission

The Forestry Commission is the main Government Department in England concerned with general forestry matters.

The new English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) brings together in a single scheme woodland incentives previously provided by the Forestry Commission's Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS) and Defra's Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS). The EWGS was introduced in July 2005 and is administered in its entirety by the Forestry Commission.

With effect from 26 March 2007, responsibility for administering on-going agreements under the now closed FWPS and its predecessor the Farm Woodland Scheme (FWS) is transferring from Natural England to the Forestry Commission. The Forestry Commission has been authorised to carry out the relevant statutory functions relating to the FWPS and the FWS by an agreement issued under Part 8 Section 78 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. A copy of the agreement is below:

A Concordat setting out a framework for the Forestry Commission in England and Defra to work together to develop and deliver forestry policy came into force on 25 April 2005. It builds on a previous Pathfinder Concordat that was promulgated following the 2002 Forestry Devolution Review and has been evolved in the light of the Modernising Rural Delivery Review.

National Forest

The National Forest Company was established in April 1995 to oversee the creation of a new forest for the nation - The National Forest. The Company is limited by guarantee and its founder members were the then Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The forest will provide benefits in the form of landscape improvement, recreation, education and nature conservation. In doing so it will help regenerate the economy of the area it covers. Further information can be obtained from the National Forest website.

Community Forest Programme

Community Forests are a national programme of major environmental improvements reaching half of England's population, and being shaped by local people. They were initiated in 1989 by the Countryside Agency and the Forestry Commission, in response to the national need to diversify land-use. More information can be found at the Community Forest Programme website.

International Forestry Issues

The Web pages for international forestry issues, sustainable forests and combating illegal logging can be accessed from the following link.

The England Forestry Forum

Links to other forestry-related sites

Page last modified: 18 June 2007

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs