Page 1 of Save our Forests...

Sorry if this is a bit spammy guys, but I really think it`s a worthwhile cause. Quite like getting out in our local woods with the kids, and saw signs up about this last weekend.


The government is planning a massive sell off of our national forests. They could be auctioned and fenced off, run down, logged or turned into golf courses and holiday villages.

We can`t let that happen. We need to stop these plans. National treasures like the The Forest of Dean, Sherwood Forest and The New Forest could be sold off. Once they are gone, they will be lost forever.

A huge petition will force the government to rethink its plans. If we can prove how strongly the public are against this, they will have to back down.

http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/save-our-forests#petition

Sounds pretty sensationalist.. I`d be shocked if this is actually the case rather than a snippet of information being blown out of proportion..

Aye, does sound a bit unlikely, or far from the truth.


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Maybe not...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/250-million-forest-selloff-plan-outlined-2196007.html

Some of that reads like a sensible idea, but it`s really hard to tell from other bits which read as a worry, how much of it could disappear. All very confusing.


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Stick me on the sensationalist bandwagon.  The Government wants to transfer responsibility for the Nation`s forests from the Forestry Commission to the private sector.  Woodlands are already being closed off to public access and it`s only a matter of time before the new owners start exploiting their acquisitions.  Forests take hundreds, if not thousands of years to mature so once we`ve lost `em, they`re not coming back.

J Mark Oates

The forestry commission only looks after less than 20% of our forests. The privately owned, commercial forestry companies can invest more than government funded organisations. They are bound by the same rules as the forestry commission as far as protection of the forests are concerned.

Access to forests are restricted usually because of abuse by the public... ramblers, cyclists, quadbikers etc... Whether they are privately owned or government funded, the protection of them is the priority.

Excellent point, Mildman.  It`s interesting to note the people kicking up most of the fuss are the right-to-roam crowd, and of course they don`t acknowledge the potential damage to the environment by careless ramblers, etc.

The right-to-roam is an absolute can of worms, and most people side with the supporters without considering the other viewpoint.

However, I can`t help being suspicious that maybe the Government`s motive in all of this is simply mercenary.

J Mark Oates

This item was edited on Saturday, 29th January 2011, 03:56

Quote:
Mark Oates says...
However, I can`t help being suspicious that maybe the Government`s motive in all of this is simply mercenary.
I`m pretty sure it is a little mercenary, it`s about reducing the deficit and not too different from Labour`s big asset sale in 2009 where they sold off the Tote, the student loan book, the Dartford Tunnel, the Channel rail link and Urenco.

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Which only goes to prove you can`t trust politicians whatever the hue.

J Mark Oates

Government apparently set to ditch plans...