Damian Carrington writes well on the joint issue - as they are very similar - of NNRs and heritage forests.
And I don't just say that because he likes our vague idea of a merged FC and NE being a wildlife-friendly, public-friendly organisation to run state land - although, of course, that doesn't reduce my high opinion of him.
A love of the natural world demonstrates that a person is a cultured inhabitant of planet Earth.
Very pleased to hear this blog is considered thoughtful. We had a phrase at our office, which was "engage brain before opening mouth". I think most people contributing to this blog try to follow that advice.
redkite
Hi Mark may be just a bit off subject but you say apparently this blog is thoughtful well looking back over a few blogs and even though I have now seen hundreds of them I am amazed at how you let everyone have there say even sometimes when having a pop at you,do not believe many bloggers would be so tolerant and feel sure we all appreciate your tolerance and indeed only recall once when you censored a comment that must have been way over the top.Not sure that sometimes you may encourage some differing opinions for a bit of a smile for yourself,whatever well done.That is my thoughtful bit anyway.
Caroline Spelman says that there is a conflict between the forestry commission being involved in commercial forestry and also dictating what private forestry companies should do. Natural England have two main tasks managing national nature reserves and also administering and distributing grants from DEFRA. I think a government forest and wildlife organisation is the perfect solution to both administer and manage our NNRs and state forests. However I feel that this organisation should be separate to The FC and NE, which should both remain , but in a pruned down form.
Hi Mark,
I am just glad that you have moved along so far from your early positions on these posts whereby you could nt see "what's the fuss in the Forest of Dean; it being all crown land". I am glad that you are able to see in my own words from a week or two back "that NNR's and FC should be joined in principle".
Some of the credit is due to this site that has moved you along the path, the standard of contribution is high, also the high level of background noise, House of Commons, 38Degrees, Porrit etc and but also to yourself to have arrived at a position that I feel many people will support, myself included.
However let me now wholesomely applaud the position that you have come to !
The upland sitka forests may end up being the sacrifice in the deal that is now made ? In National Parks and AONB's a new planting policy would be far more achievable under FC than under private stewardship for unless I am mistaken there is no way of requiring plantings to respect soils and water courses which are becoming acidified.
It remains my view that this is not the moment for a Sell Off when forests have doubled in value over the past 8 years; there is a restructuring back to agriculture at this time, this is NOT the time to sell or if yes then shorter leases or leases with a mechanism to fairly review price changes in a generation.
Well done however I can only admire your industry and articulacy. I feel that Caroline Spellman MP is going to owe you a lot, if her position survives.
Peter Plover