CONTINUED FEARS FOR GALLOWAY, AE AND SCOTTISH BORDERS’ FORESTS (Jim Hume)

CONTINUED FEARS FOR GALLOWAY, AE AND SCOTTISH BORDERS’ FORESTS

November 27, 2008 12:00 AM

Jim Hume MSP, MSP for the South of Scotland and Environment Spokesperson, has called on the Scottish Government to extend its period of consultation on its plans to lease out at least 25% of Scotland's publicly owned forests to private timber investment companies over 75 years.

The MSP spoke out strongly against the proposals earlier in the week.

Jim Hume said:

"The SNP's ludicrous proposal to lease out at least 25% of Scotland's publicly owned forests is utterly flawed.

"I have requested an urgent meeting with the Minister and have also urgently requested that the consultation period is extended because it conveniently takes in the Christmas and New Year - a time when offices are shut and many people are away on holidays.

"The SNP should feel ashamed of trying to smuggle this damaging measures in under the guise of the Climate Change Bill.

"The SNP should feel ashamed of effectively selling off Scotland's natural assets simply to make a quick buck."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Jim Hume's earlier news release is shown below.

Date: 24th November 2008

Embargo: Immediate

Contact Jim Hume: 07825 522771

News Release from Jim Hume MSP

MSP's Anger at SNP Plans to Lease Out Scotland's Forests

Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat 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