Contrary to wide belief, the threat to sell off or lease Forestry Commission land has not been scrapped by the government. Developments this week will give you grave concerns about the future of the New Forest as we know it. I appreciate you all lead very busy lives but urge you to please read the links below about these developments: -
Forestry Commission Cuts – Full Presentation to staff 23 May 2011
3 days later: Forestry Commission announce they have more woodland than it previously thought
Forestry
Commission to cut 250 posts in England – BBC News
Forestry Commission Cuts “Threat to special character of [New] Forest” – NFA Secretary
Forestry
jobs axe is 'ploy' to make sell-off easier
Credibility of Forestry Panel at Risk – Ramblers
If our living, breathing, cherished New Forest could
speak to you it would say, "Help Me". YOU can help by spreading
the word to your friends and family that the New Forest IS NOT SAFE FROM BEING
SOLD, LEASED OFF, or CHANGED FOREVER.
Ironic as it seems, this is still a time to put your
views to the Forestry Panel online here whilst
it is still in existence.
In my opinion,
the Forestry Panel (should it continue as originally tasked) will be open to
judicial review; because the decision making process has now been prejudiced. I
cannot see how its integrity will survive to bring its work to a final and
robust set of recommendations. If Defra insist that the panel continues then
public confidence will be shattered – and Caroline Spelman should resign!
If you are passionate about your forest and want to
do more, then please get in touch.
If you are on Twitter follow the #saveourforests tag
for the latest opinions and events.
Best wishes
Sue Baillie
ONE VOICE, New Forest
Twitter - (follow the #saveourforests tag for the latest opinions and events)
Tel: 01425 621889
Fax: 01425 620063