Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) welcomes the Scottish Government’s decision to withdraw proposals to lease 25% of Scotland’s forests, announced today (13 March).
Since the scheme was first proposed, SWT has been actively campaigning to raise awareness about the detrimental impact such a move could have on the future of Scotland’s forests and its wildlife.
By withdrawing the proposals, Scotland’s forestry will remain under the management of Forestry Commission Scotland as opposed to a large commercial organisation.
SWT’s Director of Conservation, Jonny Hughes, said: “There is no doubt that today’s decision is the right one for the future security of our forests and the wildlife that can thrive within them. To lease out 25% of our public forest estate would have substantially eroded the role of the Forestry Commission, which in turn would have had a detrimental impact on individual species, habitats and future action to adapt to climate change across Scotland.
“There has been an overwhelming thumbs down response to the leasing proposals, from both experts and the public. The government should be commended for listening and taking the necessary action to ensure that large areas of Scotland’s forests stay safely in public hands.”
David Grundy, SWT’s vice chairman said: “We are delighted to hear today’s decision as we firmly believe that the wildlife living within our national forests will be safer under the expert stewardship of the Forestry Commission Scotland as opposed to a large commercial company which would have naturally put economic considerations first.”
He added: “The Commission has made great strides towards sustainable forest management in recent years and long may this continue.”
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. SWT is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 33,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. SWT seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 reserves Scotland-wide.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Nicola McGovern, PR Officer, SWT
Tel: 0131 312 4742. Email: nmcgovern@swt.org.uk