For Argyll

For Argyll has recently reported on the proposal to lease 25% of SCotland’s forests for a period of up to 75%. The proposal is that the reveue generated by sich leases wld be used to fund measures to combat climate change.

Environment Minister Michael Russell today (3rd december 2009) said he was adopting an ‘open door’ approach on the current options being explored in the consultation on how Scotland’s national forests can be used to tackle climate change.

One option is that of leasing up to 25% of Forestry Commission Scotland’s forests to help raise new money to put back into tackle climate change.

After a meeting today with John Hume MSP, union representatives and delegates from the forestry and tourism sector, Mr Russell said: ‘We have recently started our consultation process and at this stage I wish to gather views and ideas on how we can make Scotland’s national forests work harder for climate change. I’m very open to views and welcomed the opportunity today to talk through some of the innovative proposals we are putting forward for consultation.

‘We can’t stand still and wait for things to happen when it comes to climate change - we need to take action now. The national forest estate is currently valued at £850 million and it is right that we explore how some of this capital can be freed up to meet climate change  challenges. Our consultation will help shape a future direction on achieving this.’

Talking specifically on the lease option he added: ‘I was keen to reinforce my commitment today that if a lease arrangement ever became a reality we would ensure access and recreation was secure and there would be an unbreakable commitment to continuing the highest environmental standards of forest management. The land would be leased for up to 75 years and would remain in the public sector - it would not be sold off.

‘Staff within the Commission also have a triple jobs guarantee. There will be no compulsory redundancies, their rights would be fully protected by TUPE and if any member of staff didn’t want to transfer to another organisation then the Commission would make the strongest efforts to ensure they would have a job within the Commission.

The consultation is just what it says it is - an open opportunity for all ideas and views to be considered. I’m very happy for this to continue and welcome as many views as possible.’

The consultation paper – Climate Change and the National Forest Estate in Scotland – outlines proposals to:

• Develop renewable energy projects to help the Scottish Government meet its ambitious greener energy targets
• Plant more trees as part of plans to increase the area of Scotland covered in woodland by the second half of this century

Comments on the consultation paper can be submitted until 27 January 2009 and a copy of the paper is available at Forestry Commission Scotland.

The matter is of interest to Argyll, the possessor of a significant percentage of the national forest and also the possessor of significant resources across the spectrum of renewable energies.

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