1-20 of 51 results for house:"House of Lords"
Librarians' tools
- Search time
- 0.454 seconds
- Solr query time
- 0.005 seconds
- Search query
- house:"House of Lords"
- We searched for
- legislature_ses:25277
Type
House
Session
Year
Department
Member
Primary member
Answering member
More
Legislative stage
Legislation
Subject
More
Publisher
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the acreage of land in England that was wooded at the beginning of 2015; and what they expect the acreage to be at the beginning of 2020.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the acreage of land in England that was wooded at the beginning of 2015; and what they expect the acreage to be at the beginning of 2020.
Woodland statistics are published annually by the Forestry Commission. The latest available figures on woodland area in England are to 31 March 2014. These showed a total woodland area of 1,302,000 hectares (3,217,000 acres), comprising 74% broadleaves and 24% conifers.
We will be working to further increase the area of woodland over the next five years. The Government's Forestry and Woodland Policy Statement, published in 2013, set out our aspirations to increase woodland cover in England from 10% to 12% by 2060, representing an average planting rate of 5,000 hectares (12,355 acres) per year. Achieving this challenging aspiration will be dependent on Government-supported woodland creation combined with the efforts of the private and third sectors.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to bring forward legislation to establish a new public body to hold the Public Forest Estate to account.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to bring forward legislation to establish a new public body to hold the Public Forest Estate to account.
The Government’s policy on the future of the Public Forest Estate is set out in its Forestry and Woodlands Policy Statement of January 2013. The Government is committed to maintaining the Public Forest Estate in public ownership and to establishing a new operationally independent public body to manage the estate for the long-term benefit of people, nature and the economy.
There were many proposals competing for the limited space within the Fourth Session programme and the proposed forestry measures could not be accommodated. However, the Government stands by its commitment to establish the new public body as soon as parliamentary time allows.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government , in the light of the funding available under Article 23 of Pillar II of the Common Agricultural Policy (2014–20) under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) for the establishment and management of agroforestry systems, whether they have decided that they will adopt agroforestry measures as...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government , in the light of the funding available under Article 23 of Pillar II of the Common Agricultural Policy (2014–20) under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) for the establishment and management of agroforestry systems, whether they have decided that they will adopt agroforestry measures as...
I refer the noble Baroness to my previous answer of 21 January 2014, Official Report column WA 93-94.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of agroforestry on productivity, ecology and mitigating climate change, including managing water and silt flow and helping mitigate flooding.[HL5370]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of agroforestry on productivity, ecology and mitigating climate change, including managing water and silt flow and helping mitigate flooding.[HL5370]
In 2012 Natural England commissioned the Organic Research Centre and Abacus Organic Associates to consider the potential benefits of Agroforestry and any need for support under the
RDPE. We have considered the report “Can Agroforestry Deliver Production and Environmental Benefits in the next Rural Development Programme?” as part of the considerable evidence portfolio for the design of a new environmental land management scheme .The department and its delivery bodies do fund a variety of research and demonstration projects to understand the potential of non-structural methods of reducing flooding, including afforestation. We will continue our research into understanding how woodland creation and tree planting can contribute to managing flood risk by working with natural processes.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what examples of agroforestry schemes Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs officials have visited. [HL5371]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what examples of agroforestry schemes Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs officials have visited. [HL5371]
Over the last twelve months officials from Defra Agencies have visited several agroforestry schemes in England, in particular in Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether agroforestry will be selected from the European Union approved list as an Ecological Focus Area option for English farmers under the greening measures in Pillar II of the Common Agricultural Policy. [HL5384]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether agroforestry will be selected from the European Union approved list as an Ecological Focus Area option for English farmers under the greening measures in Pillar II of the Common Agricultural Policy. [HL5384]
Ecological Focus Areas in England will be delivered under the greening measures in Pillar I of the Common Agricultural Policy. The Government has not yet announced which of the Ecological Focus Areas will be permitted in England. Discussions are continuing with stakeholders on this issue, with a view to making announcements shortly.
Lords question for short debate on what plans they have for the expansion and management of the public forest estate following the report of the Independent Panel on Forestry.
Lords question for short debate on what plans they have for the expansion and management of the public forest estate following the report of the Independent Panel on Forestry.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have assessed the benefits of agricultural systems, generally known as agroforestry, which integrate trees, crops and livestock on the same area of land.[HL4432]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have assessed the benefits of agricultural systems, generally known as agroforestry, which integrate trees, crops and livestock on the same area of land.[HL4432]
In 2012 Natural England commissioned the Organic Research Centre and Abacus Organic Associates to consider the potential benefits of AgroForestry and any need for support under the RDPE. Their report: Can Agroforestry Deliver Production and Environmental Benefits in the Next Rural Development Programme?, is due to be published soon.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the reformed Common Agricultural Policy offers the opportunity to support agroforestry under Pillars 1 and 2; and, if so, under which Pillar they intend to support it.[HL4433]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the reformed Common Agricultural Policy offers the opportunity to support agroforestry under Pillars 1 and 2; and, if so, under which Pillar they intend to support it.[HL4433]
There is no explicit support for agroforestry practices under pillar 1 direct payments. However, land that is managed under agroforestry may be eligible for direct payments under pillar 1, provided it meets the land eligibility requirements.
The Rural Development Regulation which governs the next programme provides for an agroforestry measure. Defra does not propose to take up this option in England. However, land that is managed as part of an agroforestry system may be eligible for support through the new environmental land management scheme.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the analysis of agroforestry by the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development as a “win–win” multifunctional land-use approach that balances the production of commodities with non-commodity outputs such as environmental protection, biodiversity opportunities, cultural and...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the analysis of agroforestry by the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development as a “win–win” multifunctional land-use approach that balances the production of commodities with non-commodity outputs such as environmental protection, biodiversity opportunities, cultural and...
In 2012 Natural England commissioned the Organic Research Centre and Abacus Organic Associates to consider the potential benefits of AgroForestry and any need for support under the RDPE. Their report: Can Agroforestry Deliver Production and Environmental Benefits in the next Rural Development Programme?, is due to be published soon.
The research included a literature review that considered the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development report along with other sources of evidence.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there is any difference of approach in policies supporting agroforestry in the four nations of the United Kingdom; and, if so, what.[HL4435]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there is any difference of approach in policies supporting agroforestry in the four nations of the United Kingdom; and, if so, what.[HL4435]
The Government does not intend to apply the agroforestry measure as part of the next Rural Development Programme.
An agroforestry scheme was available in the 2007-13 Rural Development Programme, in Northern Ireland. However there was very little uptake. Northern Ireland is considering offering support for agroforestry as an option within the Agri-Environment Climate measure under its 2014-20 Rural Development Programme.
Currently there is no grant available to support agroforestry systems in Scotland. However, the intention is to introduce new grants to support agroforestry and tree health in the next Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP), which is currently out for consultation (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2013/12/7550).
The Welsh Government have been working with forest industry and farming stakeholders to enable greater integration between farm and woodland management to the benefit of both. The Welsh Government is currently looking at ways to implement this approach within the measures provided by the new Rural Development Regulation.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in implementing the recommendations of the report of the Independent Panel on Forestry.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in implementing the recommendations of the report of the Independent Panel on Forestry.
My Lords, good progress has been made in implementing the commitments set out in January in the Government’s forestry and woodlands policy statement. An update report published in July highlighted progress in establishing a new body to
manage the public forest estate, in maintaining forestry expertise in government, in supporting the forestry sector to improve its economic performance and in giving greater priority to plant health. A further update report will be published in the new year. I declare an interest as a woodland owner.
My Lords, good progress has been made in implementing the commitments set out in January in the Government’s forestry and woodlands policy statement. An update report published in July highlighted progress in establishing a new body to
manage the public forest estate, in maintaining forestry expertise in government, in supporting the forestry sector to improve its economic performance and in giving greater priority to plant health. A further update report will be published in the new year. I declare an interest as a woodland owner.
My Lords, good progress has been made in implementing the commitments set out in January in the Government’s forestry and woodlands policy statement. An update report published in July highlighted progress in establishing a new body to
manage the public forest estate, in maintaining forestry expertise in government, in supporting the forestry sector to improve its economic performance and in giving greater priority to plant health. A further update report will be published in the new year. I declare an interest as a woodland owner.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in implementing the recommendations of the report of the Independent Panel on Forestry.
Yes, my Lords. Although the new body will be able to buy and sell land in its role as a land manager, there are no plans for it to sell any part of the estate to raise revenue to support itself.
Yes, my Lords. Although the new body will be able to buy and sell land in its role as a land manager, there are no plans for it to sell any part of the estate to raise revenue to support itself.
My Lords, I thank the Minister for his answer. Is he aware that there are suggestions that the new forestry body will be forced to sell some of its land almost from its inception? Will he assure the House that that is not the case, and that the Government’s new forestry body will be provided with sufficient finance so that it is not forced into land sales within its first 12 months of existence?
Yes, my Lords. We have addressed the impact of a gap between rural development programmes by encouraging applicants who were originally considering applying for grants in 2014 to bring these forward to 2013. The Forestry Commission is presently considering applications to fund the planting of up to 2,600 hectares of woodland in 2014. The current RDP has seen over 12,000 hectares of woodland planted and funded through the English woodland grant scheme. Current applications for planting in 2014 therefore represent an annual planting rate above that in the rest of the current programme.
Yes, my Lords. We have addressed the impact of a gap between rural development programmes by encouraging applicants who were originally considering applying for grants in 2014 to bring these forward to 2013. The Forestry Commission is presently considering applications to fund the planting of up to 2,600 hectares of woodland in 2014. The current RDP has seen over 12,000 hectares of woodland planted and funded through the English woodland grant scheme. Current applications for planting in 2014 therefore represent an annual planting rate above that in the rest of the current programme.
Do the Government intend to maintain transitional arrangements so that there are woodland grants until the introduction of England’s rural development programme in 2015, so that the Government’s welcome commitment to increase woodland cover can actually be achieved?
That is an important point. The Grown in Britain initiative is genuinely making a difference. Early successes show that it is already delivering results, including gaining commitment from several major corporates to buy or stock more home-grown wood products. To date, 19 major UK contractors-group companies, with a collective turnover of over £24 billion, have pledged to look into ways of procuring more British timber. Grown in Britain is also forging partnerships with businesses in the construction sector to seek good examples of projects using British-grown
timber to promote as case studies for other forestry supply chains to follow. There is a lot going on in that sector, and it is important.
That is an important point. The Grown in Britain initiative is genuinely making a difference. Early successes show that it is already delivering results, including gaining commitment from several major corporates to buy or stock more home-grown wood products. To date, 19 major UK contractors-group companies, with a collective turnover of over £24 billion, have pledged to look into ways of procuring more British timber. Grown in Britain is also forging partnerships with businesses in the construction sector to seek good examples of projects using British-grown
timber to promote as case studies for other forestry supply chains to follow. There is a lot going on in that sector, and it is important.
My Lords, I declare my interests as on the register. Is the Minister aware that I have a children’s forest school in one wood and much used public access in another? However, this question is not just about greenery and fresh air. Do the Government accept the report’s point about the economics of our forestry and its supply chain? What resources will they provide for adding value to British timber, not just using it for firewood and biomass?
My Lords, I agree with the first half of the noble Lord’s question but the Government would not agree with the second half. The Forestry Commission is a dedicated and well run organisation. It has an important function to carry out, and the various functions that it carries out will continue to be carried out.
My Lords, I agree with the first half of the noble Lord’s question but the Government would not agree with the second half. The Forestry Commission is a dedicated and well run organisation. It has an important function to carry out, and the various functions that it carries out will continue to be carried out.
My Lords, does the Minister agree that most landowners in this country who have forestry think that it makes a great contribution to their businesses? Can he explain why state-owned forestry in all parts of the United Kingdom has failed to make money over so many years?
That is one of my department’s top four priorities, and we are making rapid progress in taking forward the implementation of the recommendations of the expert task force that the Secretary of State set up. In fact, this morning I attended our monthly biosecurity meeting and we are absolutely focused on both those plant health issues that are approaching us from overseas and those that are here already. We have established a prioritised plant health risk register, we are appointing a new chief plant health officer and we are engaged in contingency planning, among many other things.
That is one of my department’s top four priorities, and we are making rapid progress in taking forward the implementation of the recommendations of the expert task force that the Secretary of State set up. In fact, this morning I attended our monthly biosecurity meeting and we are absolutely focused on both those plant health issues that are approaching us from overseas and those that are here already. We have established a prioritised plant health risk register, we are appointing a new chief plant health officer and we are engaged in contingency planning, among many other things.
My Lords, as Her Majesty’s Government will be aware, there are several very serious diseases affecting trees in this country. What steps are being taken to ensure that, with the reorganisation of the responsibilities of the Forestry Commission, this important disease prevention, control and elimination work will not only continue but be strengthened?
My Lords, we have always said that we will legislate as soon as possible, subject to the availability of parliamentary time. That remains the position and we are serious about it. Yes, we intend to make draft legislation available for pre-legislative scrutiny, but it is important to understand that we have also been focusing on making progress on all 36 commitments, and not all of those need legislation.
My Lords, we have always said that we will legislate as soon as possible, subject to the availability of parliamentary time. That remains the position and we are serious about it. Yes, we intend to make draft legislation available for pre-legislative scrutiny, but it is important to understand that we have also been focusing on making progress on all 36 commitments, and not all of those need legislation.
My Lords, I declare an interest as a member of the steering committee of Hands Off Our Forest. Primary legislation is clearly needed to set up a new management organisation for the public forest estate. The Forest Campaigns Network has been told by Defra that Ministers are committed properly to pre-legislative scrutiny, so I would be grateful if the Minister could tell the House when we will see a draft Bill and whether or not it will be in this Session of Parliament. Will the Minister also confirm that the organisation’s mission will be to protect and improve the public forests, woodland and other assets held on behalf of the nation and that, however the organisation is structured, it will not be in danger of future privatisation?
Lords question for short debate on what changes they will make in resource allocation in the light of the assessments of the Natural Capital Committee.
Lords question for short debate on what changes they will make in resource allocation in the light of the assessments of the Natural Capital Committee.