"With the publication of the Independent Panel on Forestry’s (IPF) report – and our response to it – we have the perfect opportunity to set forestry on a positive path to growth," said Mr Heath, adding "watch this space".
Mr Heath’s planned attendance at the conference, along with that of secretary of state Owen Paterson, was scuppered by the need to attend a debate in the House of Commons, just across the road from RICS but his video message indicated his keeness to engage with the sector, said Defra director Susan Hendry, who stood in for the ministers.
Ms Hendry is responsible for overseeing the government’s response to the IPF’s report and said that there was "a tangible air of excitement" following the very upbeat nature of the report and that there was a determination to maintain its ambition and vision.
She cautioned, however, that "a great deal of innovation is going to be needed to meet the panel’s aspirations". For example, its recommendation that forest cover be increased from 10% to 15% by 2060 sounds modest but would require an unprecedented increase in planting and an investment of £110m per year over the next four decades.
Other speakers on the day included Confor chief executive Stuart Goodall, Clinton Devon Estates’ John Varley, the Woodland Trust’s Sue Holden and UPM Tilhill’s George McRobbie, who is a member of the Forestry Regulation Task Force.
One of the most spirited sessions of the day occurred during the debate with members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Forestry. Delegates heard – and challenged – the views of Lord Clark of Windermere (Labour), Rory Stewart (Conservative) and Lord Redesdale (Liberal Democrat).
A full report on the conference will follow in a forthcoming issue of TTJ.
