trying to minimise the cost of the PFE while
providing benefits for the 200,000,000 visits
each year. We raise money by various means
driven by sound commercial judgement. With
forest holidays (cabins), the land is not a sale.
A tiny proportion of the estate is rented out.
There is a planning system that ensures that
what is proposed is appropriate.”
Responding to the Health and Harmony
consultation document, Stuart Goodall says,
“We see positives in ending Direct Payments- a disincentive to farmers and landowners
to plant trees if they are concerned about
the loss of payments – and the focus on plant
health. Aiming for enhanced productivity and
competitiveness, farmers can manage land
on a self-sustaining basis with forestry as an
alternative. Paying public money towards
public goods, forestry offers many benefits,
managed to the government’s own UKFS
standard. Moving towards ‘polluter pays’
provides a level playing field among land
uses.”
He warns, “Health and Harmony reinforces
divisions between farming and other
land uses, assuming that farming is the
only productive use of land. Where is the
connection with other policies, climate change
or the clean growth strategy? The clean
growth strategy must be brought into land
management, otherwise the sector (including
timber and forestry) will be considered a
major emitter of greenhouse gases and will
struggle to meet targets.”
Is there a brighter future? “UK forest cover
is one third of the European average. Globally,
we are the second biggest net importer of
timber. 42% of English farms make a loss
without subsidy. We are in danger of falling
behind in our climate change mitigation
targets.
“The last twenty years have seen forest
cover increase by 0.7%. Timber prices are
at record levels. Global demand is set to rise
by up to three times (source: WWF). Forestry
is a £2 billion industry from 13% of the land.
Almost half of these woodlands do not provide
an economic return. It is a major opportunity.
The cost of establishment is £2,500 per ha.
We calculate that by maturity, the value of lost
CAP subsidies is £7,000 per ha, which is what
has dissuaded farmers from planting trees in
the past.
“We want to see integrated land use
providing increased incomes for many,
diversification, carbon capture and storage,
enhanced natural capital and supporting
biodiversity.”
He has five suggestions: “Rename the bill
‘Farming, Forestry and ...’. Include evidence on
forestry and timber in policy-making. Embrace
public goods and widen eligibility beyond just
farming activities. Link up with wider public
policies (climate change in particular). And
address devolution; there is a lot of cross-
border activity.”GOVERNMENT
IN THE Q&A SESSION THE
FOLLOWING TOPICS WERE
RAISED:
Q: Is growing timber as a national
strategic reserve a public good or not?
Guy Horsington: “The production of
food and timber is rewarded fairly by the
market. Additional benefits that come
from responsible forestry and food
management, human health and more,
are what we want to reward.”
Harry Studholme: “Unlike a field of
wheat, public goods are inherent in any
wood. A growing tree provides more
than timber and people are not paid
for carbon absorption or for providing
habitats.”
Stuart Goodall: “There is the danger
of unintended consequences. If you do
not reward people for growing trees,
you undermine the markets. Planting
woodland, 45% will be good for locals
and wildlife, but not produce timber.
Without timber, you have no income. If
there is no reward or recognition, people
will not plant.”Q: How do we attract more young
people into the industry, especially at
the beginning of the production chain,
for example into hand cutting?
Stuart Goodall: “This is a crux issue.
Post CAP we need to raise awareness,
communicating that forestry is a relatively
well-paid sector that provides good
quality jobs.”
Harry Studholme: “This is not a uniquely
British problem, getting young people
into physically demanding jobs. It is a
challenge for forestry, in part, because
it is a small sector. We need awareness
in schools and awareness in school
leavers. In 2019, the year of Brexit, we
are also celebrating the centenary of theForestry Act, and will be working hard to raise
forestry’s profile.”Q. How do the panel see the world of
academia and research in a post-Brexit
devolutionary world. Tree disease is a
main concern of Defra, how will links be
affected?
Guy Horsington: “One advantage of greater
devolution is that we can learn from the
success of Scotland and Wales and establish
mechanisms by which we share information.”Harry Studholme: “Links will remain.
Government is doing something about
funding, and in terms of forestry and
plant health links, scientists are joined by
curiosity. We have good links within the
EU and internationally and we are united in
many of these issues. Plant disease knows
no boundaries.”A knock on the door prompts Chris
Davies MP to say, “We are out of time.
Thank you to our panel. See you next time.”