Forestry Public Opinion Survey Results Published

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Agriculture Minister, Lord Rooker, has highlighted a new public opinion survey on the Forestry Service.

The survey will inform the Forest Service on the views, attitudes and opinions of the public on forestry in Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the publication, Lord Rooker said: “Gaining insight into the public’s perception of public services is essential in enabling Government to develop its future programme of service delivery to meet peoples’ needs and expectations.

“ The survey, which was developed in association with the Forestry Commission of Great Britain, shows that there is public support for future afforestation in Northern Ireland for a wide variety of reasons. However, public awareness of forestry related issues and activities is, when compared to the rest of the UK, relatively low. A significant number of people wish to see more forests within their local area and there is support that Forest Service remains the body responsible for the delivery of recreational access to public forests in Northern Ireland.

“The findings of the survey are key when placed in the context of the ongoing review of forestry policy, which is reaching its latter stages. Forest Service is consequently in a stronger position to understand the public’s aspirations for forestry alongside the sustainable management of the public forest estate within future strategy.”

The Northern Ireland survey used a representative sample of 1,000 adults across Northern Ireland and equivalent surveys have been conducted throughout the UK.

The survey can be viewed on the Forest Service website at www.forestserviceni.gov.uk.

1. The survey was carried out between 21 and 31 March 2005.

2. The sample population was selected at random from 45 sampling points.

3. The Forestry Commission (GB) completed equivalent surveys of 1,000 adults in both Scotland and Wales.

4. The Forestry Commission also completed a separate, comparative survey of 4,000 adults in GB.

5. The survey report highlights any differences in opinion amongst adult groups in Northern Ireland by geographic region and socio-demographic variables.

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