Policy paper

Government forestry policy statement

The statement sets out clear priorities for future policy-making, focused on protecting, improving and expanding our public and private woodlands.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Documents

Government Forestry Policy Statement

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Details

The Forestry and Woodlands Policy Statement incorporates the Government’s Response to the Independent Panel on Forestry’s Final Report. It acknowledges the importance of the Panel’s report and confirms that the Government shares its vision for the future of our forests.

It sets out clear priorities for future Government policy-making, focused on protecting, improving and expanding our public and private woodlands. It covers, among other things, the future of the Public Forest Estate, woodland creation and management, the economic development of the forestry sector, community involvement in local woodlands and tree health.

The statement confirms that the Public Forest Estate will remain in public ownership, and announces that a new body will be established to hold the Estate in trust of the nation and manage it for the long-term benefit of people, the economy and the environment. 

Further information

Published 31 January 2013