31/01/2013

Public Forests Not To Be Sold

Publicly owned forests in England will not be sold, the government has announced.

They also announced that new public body will be created to hold in trust the nation's forests for future generations.

The announcement comes in response to a report calling the estate a "national asset" that should not be sold off.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said the policy of selling off 15% of the estate to cover costs would also be rescinded.

Except that it would be set up in the longer term few details of the new, independent body that will own, maintain and safeguard the public forest estate are yet known.

Mr Paterson said: "The new body will have greater independence from Government and greater freedom to manage its resources and maximise its income but with the right safeguards in place to operate for the long-term benefit of people, nature and the economy."

(H)

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