Written question asked by Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 24 June 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 July 2002. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 July 2002 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps (a) have been taken and (b) are planned by her Department to increase the number of trees planted in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps (a) have been taken and (b) are planned by her Department to increase the number of trees planted in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [64786] Mr. Morley: Forestry is a devolved matter. Our Forestry Strategy sets out our strategic priorities and programmes for forestry in England. Achieving a re-expansion of woodland cover is a key aim of that strategy, and is also one of our indicators of sustainable development. We give grants for planting new woodland under the farm woodland premium scheme and the Forestry Commission's woodland grant scheme. We also provide support for new planting in the National Forest and the Community Forests. Over the seven year period of the England Rural Development Programme our target is to create 30,000 hectares of new woodland.

Secondary information