HUME URGES UNITED FRONT AGAINST FORESTRY PLANS (Jim Hume)

HUME URGES UNITED FRONT AGAINST FORESTRY PLANS

December 11, 2008 12:00 AM

Jim Hume, MSP for the South of Scotland and Environment spokesperson, is calling for MSPs to unite and oppose the Scottish Government's plans to sell off Scotland's family silver by leasing out swathes of Scotland's forests.

Mr Hume has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament outlining the difficulties that this proposal will cause to local economies, tourism and leisure opportunities and probable job losses that will follow.

Jim Hume said:

"The Scottish Government's plans to sell off the family silver by offering 75 year lease options on our forests jeopardises rural economies, tourism and leisure opportunities and puts many jobs at risk.

"This is a golden opportunity for MSPs to prevent disaster for our forests by uniting around my motion, which sets out my opposition to this cavalier proposal."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The text of Mr Hume's motion is below:

That the parliament notes with deep concern the Scottish Government's proposal to lease 25% of the most commercially viable publicly owned Scottish forests to private investment companies for up to 75 years; further notes that the 25% could equate to 40% of production for the Forestry Commission which would significantly diminish essential income for investment in maintaining tourist activities such as the 7stanes network and for creating new leisure access initiatives such as mountain biking, walking, orienteering and other community woodland projects; recognises the importance of Scotland's woods and forests and the potential for raising capital for expansion of woodland cover; notes that Forestry Commission jobs and associated jobs are under threat; recognises that timber and wood processing companies dependent upon security of wood supply and Forestry Commission cutting contracts face an uncertain future if those cutting rights are taken away; urges the Scottish Government to commit to maintaining sufficient availability of wood for these industries; considers that the Scottish Government should commission a comprehensive survey of wood availability and demand, in conjunction with Forestry Commission Scotland, Forestry Commission Wales and Forestry Commission England and with the wood industries; recognises with concern the detrimental effects this proposal could have on the Scottish landscape, economy and environment; and calls for its immediate withdrawal from the Climate Change Bill.