The passing of a historic new Forestry Bill today (25 May 2010) heralds a new dawn for woodland, wildlife and the natural environment in Northern Ireland.
Both the Woodland Trust and RSPB Northern Ireland jointly called for the new Bill - which replaces legislation introduced over 50 years ago - to reflect the needs of modern society.
“Many of the RSPB and Woodland Trust’s recommendations were taken on-board,” said John Martin, RSPB’s Land Use Policy Officer. “We would like to commend the Minister, the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, and the Assembly for engaging with all interested parties during this process. It will make all the difference to the way that forests are managed, valued and enjoyed.
“Changes to the legislation allow the environment to be placed centre stage, alongside the business case for forestry,” continued John. “Elements such as sustainable forest management, protecting biodiversity and encouraging the enjoyment and recreational use of forests are core to the new legislation.”
The Woodland Trust was also keen to point out that elements of the new legislation will bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK.
“The new Bill recognises the wider benefits of forestry, such as its potential contribution towards climate change mitigation, improving public health and protecting wildlife,” said Patrick Cregg, the Woodland Trust’s director. “Previously, Northern Ireland was the only country in the UK where felling licences were not employed to control the felling of woodland. We should now see increased protection for our limited woodland resource thanks to the reintroduction of felling licences. And while ancient woodland (that’s land wooded since at least 1600) has not been granted absolute protection from further loss, the new legislation does ease some of our concerns, expressing a desire to maintain the special character of that woodland.
“The Trust is also truly delighted that the Department will take on the task of creating the first ever inventory of all woodland in the Province. This will be an essential tool in monitoring the protection and expansion of our woodland.”
The two organisations recognise that the aim of doubling woodland cover will require a detailed strategy. “Woodland creation should be targeted and should not conflict with the preservation or restoration of other priority habitats,” concluded Mr Martin.
To find out more about the new Forestry Bill, go to www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/niforestrybill
Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact:
Kaye Coates at the Woodland Trust’s Bangor Office on 028 9127 5787; email kayecoates@woodlandtrust.org.uk or
The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121; email media@woodlandtrust.org.uk
The Woodland Trust:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters.
The Trust has three key aims: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.
Here in Northern Ireland the Woodland Trust cares for 51 woods. These woods contain a mix of recently planted woodland, mature woodland and ancient woodland (that’s land continuously wooded since at least 1600). We have recently produced the first-ever comprehensive record of Northern Ireland’s ancient woodland; find out more at www.backonthemap.org.uk