Members of an independent panel of experts that will make recommendations on forestry policy for England have been announced today (Thursday) by Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman [1].

Commenting on behalf of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Ben Stafford, Head of Campaigns for CPRE, said:

“We welcome the establishment of the panel, which presents a real opportunity to understand the value the public place on woodlands before determining the future of the public forest estate. It’s encouraging that the panel chairman, Right Reverend James Jones, has said that one of their first tasks will be to meet the grassroots campaigners who demonstrated the passionate commitment to our woods and forests that exists across England.

"We expect the panel to call for evidence and representations from CPRE's county branches, which were at the forefront of campaigning for forests and woodlands from the Forest of Dean, through Sherwood Forest to the much-loved woodlands of Cumbria and the Lake District.  These groups - the Big Society in action - will be well placed to ensure that panel members understand the importance to people across the country of protecting and expanding a diverse, wildlife-rich and accessible forest estate."

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Notes to Editors
[1] DEFRA press release: http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/03/17/forestry-advisory-panel-membership-announced/
[2] The full membership of the panel is as follows: Right Reverend James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool (Chair); Shireen Chambers (Institute of Chartered Foresters Executive Director); Mike Clarke (RSPB Chief Executive); Tom Franklin (Ramblers Association Chief Executive); Stuart Goodall (ConFor Chief Executive); Stephanie Hilborne (Wildlife Trusts Chief Executive); Sue Holden (Woodland Trust Chief Executive); Alan Knight (Founder, Single Planet living ltd); Dame Fiona Reynolds (National Trust Director General); Sir Harry Studholme (Forestry Commissioner); John Varley (Estates Director, Clinton Devon Estates); William Worsley (Country Land and Business Association President).
[3] The terms of reference, agreed with the chair, can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/rural/forestry/panel/.