EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 1999 the National Assembly for Wales issued the consultation document 'Woodland for Wales'. This sought views on the future direction for woodlands in Wales. This report on the consultation provides a summary of the views expressed through the written and website responses and the issues raised at five parallel workshops held to inform the consultation process.

Support for a Strategy

78% of respondents recognised the need for a new woodland strategy for Wales, with strong support for a strategy that is clear in its aims, inclusive in its approach and adequately supported by Government in its implementation. There was a strong call for the strategy to link with other rural land-use policy areas, particularly agriculture, to ensure that it forms part of an holistic approach to rural areas, and the work of other agencies, including WDA, in promoting rural economic development. There was a consistent view across all sectors that the strategy should have a long-term vision - 50 years or more, providing flexibility within a firm framework.

The role of On-going Consultation in Strategy Development

There was general support for the continuation of consultation in the development of the strategy. There was a wide ranging view that the National Assembly for Wales should have an active involvement with future strategy development, particularly in developing inter-departmental/cross agency approaches relevant to strategy implementation. There was potential for developing a national woodland forum and possibly regional fora with a wide and inclusive membership to drive forward national and more local strategies.

The Multi-purpose Benefits of Woodlands

A theme that runs through many of the responses is the vision of an holistic and sustainable Welsh woodland strategy, that achieves better integration of rural land uses, places equal weight on economic, environmental and social issues and delivers sustainable multi-purpose benefits. There is a general desire to place emphasis on quality rather than quantity of all 'products' provided by woodland and a recognition that new methods need to be developed to value the very considerable non-market benefits that woodlands provide.

Key Building Blocks in a Future Strategy

Amount and type of woodland cover: The emphasis was on improving the management of the existing woodland resource, rather than expansion. There was a call for an improved balance between conifer and broadleaves, both within individual blocks and across the resource as a whole.

Location of woodland cover: Amongst many respondents there was a desire to see the removal and conversion of uneconomic plantations in the uplands into a more diverse range of woodlands and other habitats. The primary emphasis in the lowlands was on the reconnection of the fragmented broadleaf resource and the creation of new woodland in and around urban areas.

Silvicultural practices for the future: This was a major area of concern amongst respondents and at the workshops. Throughout the responses there was a clear and strong desire to move towards more natural silvicultural practices, with a strong emphasis placed on Continuous Cover.

Support for the existing timber industry: It was noted that there had been substantial investment in the high volume softwood timber processing industry. This sector needs reassurance that its future timber supply is secure, particularly given current international timber prices.

Adding value locally: There was widespread support for the concept of adding value locally, to both softwoods and hardwoods, in bulk and niche markets. This would increase local employment, retain benefits within the local community, reduce transport needs, and meet sustainability objectives.

Marketing: Processors stressed that product development is best driven by business itself with the support of external commercial and academic expertise. There was a widespread call for an awareness raising campaign aimed at promoting Welsh woodland products.

Woodland as a renewable energy source: It was recognised by many that timber processing in conjunction with the development of combined heat and power plants in a local area could afford real economic, social and environmental benefits

Woodlands and agriculture: There was widespread support for the better integration of agriculture and forestry. However, the apparent disparity between agricultural subsidy and forestry grants received extensive comment.

Meeting biodiversity objectives: Amongst those representing the nature conservation sector there was a strong desire for the UK Biodiversity Action Plan to form a cornerstone of the strategy. There was also a strong call for ancient semi-natural woodlands to receive specific recognition, reflecting their high nature conservation value.

Landscape character and local identity: There was a widespread desire to see Welsh landscape character reflected in the woodland strategy, with woodlands reinforcing local distinctiveness.

Community woodlands and public participation: There was strong support for the creation of community woodlands, especially on derelict and damaged land.

There was also considerable support across the different sectors for wider community participation in the management of public and private woods.

Access: There was a call for greater public access to woodlands but general agreement that, in the case of private woods, this should be on a voluntary basis.

Scenarios: In the consultation document four scenarios were put forward to stimulate debate, namely, scenarios based on (1) market forces; (2) an integrated rural economy; (3) the environment; and (4) a projection of the current situation. Of these, where respondents favoured a single scenario, the integrated rural economy scenario was the most popular, but the strongest preference was for a combination of two or more scenarios.

Woodland Grants: There was a call for a long-term view with flexibility so that grant could be directed at weak areas and at different areas over time. There was strong support for the targeting of woodland grants as a means of achieving value for money and a suggestion that targeting should be based on integrated multi-agency partnerships, which seek close linkages between woodlands and other land uses.

Research: The need for further research was a reoccurring theme. Key areas for further research include: silvicultural practices; climate change and its implications for woodland management; valuing the non-economic benefits of woodland; and researching new products and markets.

Management of the Public Forest Estate: There was widespread agreement that the public estate should be managed as an exemplar of best practice in delivering sustainable multi-purpose benefits - Flagship Forestry. There was strong resistance to any further sale of the forest estate on the basis that the disposal was unlikely to fund as a wide a range of public benefits as currently provided. However, some respondents wanted to see the careful rationalisation of the forest estate, with disposal of those woodlands that could be as easily managed by the private sector and the money so raised used for woodland creation.

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