Forest Service Announces Local Public Meetings to Discuss Options for Future Forest Policy

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Regular forest users are being invited to give their views on the future of forest policy in Northern Ireland. Over the coming weeks, the Forest Service, an agency within the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, will be holding a series of public meetings to obtain feedback on options available.

In December 2004, the Forest Service issued a consultation paper, Options for Forestry. The paper states government forest policy as:

‘Options for Forestry’ also identifies a number of areas where changes in legislation and administration could improve the delivery of forestry services and invites public consultees to advise Forest Service of their views. The Service has already written to a large number of stakeholders within the forestry and agricultural sectors. It recognises that we also have a large number of regular visitors to forests who may require further information about forests or to ask questions before expressing their views on the consultation document.

To help this process, the Forest Service has announced that it will hold a series of public meetings at which senior officials will provide further information and record public opinion.

There will be no charge for entry to forest parks to attend the consultation meetings.

The Forest Service has circulated the Options for Forestry paper widely and if members of the public require a copy, these can by obtained by contacting the Forest Service either directly on 028 9052 4293 or through its internet site: www.forestserviceni.gov.uk

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

2. The consultation paper, a linked economic appraisal and an 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.

3. The proposed meetings will be held at the following locations:

Venue                                     Date                           Time
The Courtyard                       19 February 05        2.00pm
Castle Archdale Forest
Irvinestown
Co Fermanagh

Glenariff Forest Park            26 February 05        2.00pm
Waterfoot
Co. Antrim

Castlewellan Forest Park          5 March 05           2.00pm
The Grange
Castlewellan

Belvoir Park Forest                 12 March 05          2.00pm
Belfast
BT8 7QT

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