DARD Launches Consultation on Options for Forestry Policy

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The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued a consultation paper on draft policy proposals in relation to forestry. The Department is also issuing a draft equality impact assessment which considers the impact of current and proposed forestry policy on Section 75 groups.

In 2002 the Department issued a consultation paper (Review of Forestry Policy) which sought the views of interested parties on the future direction of forestry policy. In the interim, the Department has considered the responses received, completed an economic appraisal of forestry policy and consulted with other government departments.

Resulting from this, the Department has concluded that timber production, environmental protection and continued provision of public access to Forest Service forests will remain its priorities. It has produced a further paper (Options for Forestry) which provides additional policy options and which asks specific questions of interested parties. The principal issues raised are:

1. The range of functions currently undertaken by the Forest Service now includes the production of timber, the protection of the environment and the provision of public access to its forests. This has changed substantially from the statutory remit provided in the Forestry Act (NI) 1953. It is proposed that Act be amended to reflect the current role of Forest Service.

2. Access to forests provides one of the principal means by which people can visit the countryside and there has been a substantial growth in the numbers visiting forests. To facilitate this it is proposed that a statutory right of pedestrian access be provided to all Forest Service forests.

3. A significant proportion of those accessing forests do so within their own locality. District Councils already have responsibility for leisure facility provision, for creating public access to the countryside and for tourism development. It is proposed that responsibility for public access to Forest Service forests be devolved to district councils, enabling an integrated approach to be developed at a local level.

4. Forestry operations cause significant damage to minor country roads and it is proposed that forest owners should be responsible for the repair of those roads.

5. Tree felling causes damage to the environment and, where a programme of restoration, conservation and environment enhancement is not delivered by the forest owner, the Department proposes taking powers to ensure this is done.

6. It is likely the populations of wild deer will increase as domestic grazing pressure declines on land adjacent to forests. The Department proposes taking additional powers to monitor and, if necessary, control populations of deer.

The Department is circulating the consultation paper widely but would additionally welcome comments from the general public who use its forest estate. To facilitate this, the Forest Service will be holding a series of public meetings at its forestry offices throughout the consultation period and details of the dates that these will be held on can be obtained by contacting your local forestry office.

Under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the Department is required to carry out an equality impact assessment looking at possible adverse or differential impact its current policy has, and proposed policy may have, onthose groups listed in section 75. The assessment is being issued at the same time as the consultation paper and the Department would encourage all section 75 groups and the general public to respond.

The consultation period for the policy review and for the Equality Impact Assessment will run for twelve weeks and will end on 31 March 2005. Except where requested, all consultation responses will be published.

The consultation paper, the economic appraisal and the Equal Impact Assessment are available on the Forest Service website at www.forestserviceni.gov.uk or on the central consultations register at www.consultationni.gov.uk Hard copies may be obtained directly from DARD by telephoning 028 9052 4293 or faxing 028 9052 4420.

All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 4619.