MSP'S ANGER AT SNP PLANS TO LEASE OUT SCOTLAND'S FORESTS (Jim Hume)

MSP'S ANGER AT SNP PLANS TO LEASE OUT SCOTLAND'S FORESTS

November 24, 2008 12:00 AM

Jim Hume, MSP for the south of Scotland, has today spoken out in anger over the SNP's proposals to privatise at least 25% of Scotland's Forestry Commission land.

The proposals will affect the Scottish Borders, Galloway and the forest of Ae all in the South of Scotland.

The MSP said:

"The plans which the SNP are trying to sneak in through the Climate Change Bill will put at risk Forestry Commission. Jobs, but will also jeopardise the recreational use of forests - Glentress near Peebles and the 7stanes network for example.

"The proposals will also affect companies who rely on timber as their raw material so there will be knock on consequences.

"I'm astounded at the SNP's proposals to privatise forests. The idea is nothing more than folly and apart from all the other reasons not to go ahead with it, it simply doesn't tally with their plans for biomass.

The MSP continued:

"If the SNP decide to go ahead with these plans, the only people taking up the leases will be large private timberland companies not interested in jobs, forestry for recreation or maintaining a sustainable forestry sector to support biomass initiatives and associated companies in the wood industry.

"I believe that the proposals are highly flawed and will do nothing to help tackle climate change as the SNP are claiming.

"The SNP are jeopardising Scotland's forests to make a quick buck."

ENDS

Note to editors

Mr Hume has lodged a series of PQs shown below.

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to lease long-term full management and cutting rights over at least 25% of the National Forest Estate in Scotland to large timberland investment companies

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the long term leasing out of full management and cutting rights over at least 25% of the National Forest Estate in Scotland to large timberland investment companies will have on Forestry Commission jobs

To ask the Scottish Executive in terms of tackling climate change and ensuring sustainable woodland resources for the future, what benefits the long term leasing out of full management and cutting rights over at least 25% of the National Forest Estate in Scotland to large timberland investment companies will bring

To ask the Scottish Executive how many Forestry Commission jobs it considers will be put at risk through the long term leasing out of full management and cutting rights over at least 25% of the National Forest Estate in Scotland to large timberland investment companies

To ask the Scottish Executive how it sees the future retention of Forestry Commission jobs and skills being affected as a result of the long term leasing out of full management and cutting rights over at least 25% of the National Forest Estate in Scotland to large timberland investment companies

To ask the Scottish Executive for assurances that Scotland's forests will not be jeopardised as recreational resources as a result of the long term leasing out of full management and cutting rights over at least 25% of the National Forest Estate in Scotland to large timberland investment companies

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to support biomass initiatives whilst at the same time allowing the long term leasing out of full management and cutting rights over at least 25% of the National Forest Estate in Scotland to large timberland investment companies

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure the sustainable management of Scotland's forests if full management and cutting rights over at least 25% of the National Forest Estate in Scotland go to large timberland investment companies