Assembly agrees consideration stage of the Forestry Bill

Minister Michelle Gildernew MLA, has moved the Consideration Stage of the Forestry Bill in the Assembly.

Following general debate on Tuesday in the Assembly, and a vote by MLAs on the amended clauses of the Bill, the Bill was subsequently agreed.

In moving the Forestry Bill, the Minister thanked the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and the wide range of stakeholders who had contributed to its development. Speaking about the Bill, the Minister said: “It is over fifty years since the last Forestry Act, and this one could very well last as long. I believe we have struck the right balance in this crucial group of amendments to the Bill, and that the Bill was positively developed in a spirit of cooperation. We now have a very good and modern piece of legislation - flexible, balanced and completely fit for purpose.

“I am confident that this multi-faceted Bill will effectively support a modern and forward-looking forestry strategy. It will give powers to deliver a wide and integrated spectrum of benefits- social and recreational, environmental and of course economic.

She continued: “Since becoming Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development it has been clear to me, that our forests, here in the north, offer great potential for increasing recreation, tourism, rural development, sport, health and educational opportunities. I want to realise that potential articulated in the Forest Service’s Recreation and Social Use Strategy.

“The new Bill will address my Department’s contemporary and evolving commercial, environmental and social objectives for forestry and will allow us to obtain better value from the forest estate.”

Describing the content of the Bill, the Minister added: “The Forestry Bill will retain powers to deal with day to day forestry matters and to protect trees from damage by wild animals, or from fire risk from vegetation on adjoining land. There will still be powers to make bye-laws to ensure the safe and responsible enjoyment of the public forest estate.

“The original vision and principles of the Bill remain intact and the amendments agreed are very positive. These include more explicit mention of sustainability, environmental benefits and the contribution to helping combat climate change. They also put the general powers more in perspective or provide more scope for agreed solutions to powers, such as control of animals on private land or compulsory acquisition of land, which will now be limited to facilitating access."

Notes to editors:

1. Following the introduction of the Forestry Bill to the Assembly on 29 June 2009, the Second Stage was agreed on Tuesday 15 September. A total of 28 Ministerial amendments to the Bill were agreed at Consideration Stage on 27 April and four non-ministerial amendments were rejected. Further Consideration Stage is scheduled for 17 May and Final Stage for 25 May. The Bill is expected to become law, following Royal Assent, in July.
2. The Forestry Strategy was developed through two major consultations of the industry and key stakeholders: “Forestry in Northern Ireland” (June 2002); “Options for Forestry” (December 2004); this culminated in “A Strategy for Sustainability and Growth” (March 2006).
3. There are nine forest parks in Northern Ireland which provide parking, picnic sites and a range of walks and attractions. In addition, there are over 100 forests that provide some recreational facilities, including woodland walks.
4. The Forest Service manages 76,000ha of forest land, broadly comprised of conifer plantations, open upland areas, broadleaved woodland, open space within forests, and recreational and amenity areas. Management conforms with Northern Ireland and UK sustainability criteria, and as a result forests provide a balance of economic, environmental and social benefits to the people of Northern Ireland.
5. All media queries to DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.