UK: Unceremonious retreat on the great forest sale

17.02.11

In the face of fierce public and political opposition Caroline Spelman, the UK's Environment Secretary, today announced a massive U Turn in the consultation into the mass sale of the UK's huge forestry estate.

“I would first like to say that I take full responsibility for the situation that brings me before the House today," said Mrs Spelman under strict instruction from Prime Minister David Cameron, who has been visibly distancing himself from the plans for several days.

“First, I have taken a decision to end the consultation on the future of the Public Forest Estate and I take full responsibility for that. I am doing so because it is quite clear from the early responses to the consultation that the public and many MPs are not happy with the proposals we set out," she continued.

This, of course, may be a massive political understatement. Over half a million people took the time to sign a petition on the 38 Degrees website, which makes it one of the largest of its kind in the country, while various polls show that over 80 per cent of the country opposed the sale.

The rejected plans, which united many disparate groups of politicians, celebrities, and powerful organisations such as The National Trust against the government, are by far the biggest backtrack of this governmental term so far.

25.10.10

The largest shake-up of UK land ownership in recent times looms as plans to sell off more 150,000 hectares of woodland and forestry are drawn up by the government.

UK: "More tree planting" say scientists

26.11.09

A panel of scientists met over the last two days to make recommendations for a giant tree planting scheme in the UK. The UK has only 12% tree coverage - a measly amount when compared with the rest of Europe (37%), Finland (74%), and North and Central America (33%).

UK: Cutting down trees in the name of conservation

11.09.09

In an unusual twist of irony the Forestry Commission plan to fell 170,000 trees in the name of conservation.