Written question asked by Guy Opperman (Conservative) on Monday, 17 November 2014, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 November 2014 (named day). It was answered by Dan Rogerson (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 24 November 2014 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Forests

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her policy is on long-term commercial forestry.

Answer: We are actively implementing our Forestry and Woodlands Policy commitments to protect, improve and expand our forests. Specifically in relation to commercial forestry, this includes working with the sector’s Grown in Britain initiative to make planting new commercial woodland more economically attractive, and encouraging private sector investment through our Woodland Carbon Code. We are also looking at ways of reducing red tape affecting woodland planting and helping forestry businesses to become more competitive through the Rural Development Programme.

Secondary information