The UK Forest Products Association (UKFPA) has described as “ludicrous” Forestry Commission proposals to restore and expand open habitats in woods and forests, and called on the government to drop the plans.

The proposals would lead to “extensive deforestation” across England as more than 74,000 acres (30,000ha) of woodland and forest would be permanently removed over 10-15 years, said UKFPA executive director David Sulman.

“That’s an area about the size of the Isle of Wight,” he said. “It’s no wonder that industry players have described these plans as shameful and scandalous. These ludicrous proposals come at a time when there is increasing recognition of the valuable role that trees, woods, forests and wood products play in helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.”

As well as the “not insignificant” climate change impacts and the cost to the public purse – estimated to be about £61m – there was also the impact that reduced wood supply would have on businesses reliant on wood from the FC.

“It’s little wonder that there is absolute astonishment and dismay within the trade. It beggars belief that the arm of government charged by statute with protecting and expanding the nation’s forests and woodlands should now be advocating extensive deforestation,” said Mr Sulman. “We could quite conceivably see the FC grubbing up and permanently removing public forests and woodland, and even paying private landowners to permanently remove woodlands and forests from their land.”

Not only should there be a presumption against deforestation, he added, but there must be a drive for increased woodland cover in England, as it lagged behind many other European countries in terms of forest cover.

“How can the UK government be taken seriously when it urges other countries to tackle deforestation and then approves measures which will deforest significant areas of England?” said Mr Sulman.

The UKFPA appreciated the importance of biodiversity but the government had to get its priorities right. In order to tackle climate change, the benefits provided by trees and forests had to be maximised.

“Deforestation is not the answer,” said Mr Sulman.

The FC consultation on the restoration and expansion of open habits from woods and forests in England closes on June 5.