The Role of the Forestry Commission

Brimpts Farm

Thursday 22nd May 2014

Who are the Forestry Commission?

UK Government

04/18/233

Our mission…

Our mission is to protect and expand forests and woodlands and increase their value to society and the environment.

Our history…

Even now we have the second lowest forest cover in EU

• 1900 – woodland cover down to 5%

• First World War put even more pressure on our timber resource

• Forestry Commission was formed in 1919

• Woodland cover is now at 12%

• BUT…

Our history…

Our history…

But over time we have evolved and we ensure Britain’s woodlands are managed for:

- People- Environment- Landscape…and timber!

Our core purpose WAS to increase forest cover and create a strategic reserve of timber

How do we do this?

FOREST SERVICES

- Private sector support

- Statutory functions

-Delivery of UK Forest Policy

FOREST RESEARCH - The main body for forestry and tree related research in the UK

THE PUBLIC FOREST ESTATE - Management of public land

… has 3 main departments

ENGLAND

How do we do this?

We are the UK’s biggest land manager –

250,000 ha

We have 650 staff (down from 44,000 in 1940!!)

Budget

£ 70% Income TimberRecreationEstates

£ 30% Government

04/18/23 FCE & PHE 20149

Some facts about us….

The first state forest service in the world to certify the whole of its estate

The South Devon beat

Area: 4200 haStaff: 9Timber harvested: 30,000m3

Characterised by…

High quality, exotic timber…

Landscapes…

Habitats

People!

Key differences

Differences between the PFE and private woodlands…

- Scale - Of woodlands- Of markets- Of the organisation

- Access and roading

- Public expectation

Shared challenges

• Distant markets, distant processing • Competing land uses• Tough terrain• Legislation• Pests and disease• Climate Change

The future…

FOREST SERVICES

- Private sector support

- Statutory functions

-Delivery of UK Forest Policy

FOREST RESEARCH - The main body for forestry and tree related research in the UK

THE PUBLIC FOREST ESTATE - Management of public land

… has 3 main departments

*ENGLAND*

The future…

• The Public Forest Estate will be put into trust for the nation

• A new management body will be formed• Operationally independent from government• Still accountable to government• Allowed more business flexibility BUT • Will have to generate more income through

commercial activity • In summary we will have a similar mission and

objectives

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Questions?