The government is making an extra £3m available to meet current high demand for private woodland grants, nature conservation minister Ben Bradshaw has announced.
Mr Bradshaw said the additional money was also in recognition of the important role of woodland and forestry in the Rural Strategy.
Forest sector representative Judith Webb, who led a delegation to Mr Bradshaw, said the extra cash allowed current grant demands to be met.
The money will also support the Forestry Commission‘s plans to introduce the new English Woodland Grant Scheme in July 2005.
