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Public say no to forest sell-off20/01/2011 07:44:10More than 150,000 sign petition opposing woodland going under the hammer January 2011: A YouGov poll has found that 75 per cent of the British public oppose plans to sell England's forests. The poll, paid for by donations from hundreds of campaign organisation 38 Degrees members, shows strong opposition to a forest sell-off from all age groups and from supporters of all political parties.
38 Degrees executive director David Babbs said: ‘38 Degrees members, like most British people, want our woodlands protected for future generations and for wildlife. Yet right now the government is pushing through plans to privatise them. More than 150,000 of us have already signed a petition against the forest sell-off, and more and more of us are getting involved in the campaign every day. ‘The government consultation looks like it's asking the wrong question. They are asking us how the forests should be privatised. But most of us don't want our forests privatised at all. Our campaign will keep growing until the government listens and protects our woodlands for future generations.' For news on the Lake District campaign to stop the sell off of forests, see Protests over government sell-off of major UK forests.
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Another expamle of the "Great Destroyer" Cameron wamtonly throwing everything out in his quest to balance the country's books...too much, and too fast.
My childeren and my grandchildren have revelled in walks through the our well-maintained forests.
Our forests are our heritage, and they should be for generations to come.
They are not commercial concerns from which to "make a return" which is the only reason any business would want to buy them.
Stop selling the "family silver" Cameron and come up with some better ideas!
Posted by: Keith W Taylor | 06 Feb 2011 21:05:50
The Forestry Commission seem to be doing an excellent job managing our forests. I cannot believe that private companies and individuals would have the expertise and incentive to do this effectively. Apparently public access is expensive in terms of providing safe ways and paths and although the Government state that this access is a condition of the sales, I do not see how this could be maintained. Surely the only incentive for private buyers is that of profit and exemption from Inheritance Tax and maybe an eye to future development
I have enjoyed access to Forests and wild areas all my life. I would hate to imagine that my children and grandchildren, would not have similar opportunities. In such an overcrowded island, I feel that it is vital for all of us to get away from the crowds to the green, peaceful places.
Posted by: Jane Abraham | 30 Jan 2011 23:27:23