As the consultation on plans to lease 25% of Scotland's forests comes to an end, Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson Jim Hume MSP has urged the Scottish Government to scrap the plans.

Mr Hume, who has led the campaign against the proposals, has collected over 8000 petition signatures from people across Scotland concerned that the long term leasing of prime Forestry Commission sites will harm tourism as well as rural industries and the communities that they support.

Commenting Mr Hume said:

"As the consultation on these ludicrous plans ends the Scottish Government must realise that money doesn't grow on trees, no matter how much they wish it.

"Selling off Scotland's forests to fill holes in SNP spending plans is as irresponsible as doing it under the pretence of climate change is disingenuous.

"NFU Scotland, the Wildlife Trust, mountain bikers, Liberal Democrats and 8000 petition signatories are all against the sell off. It's time the Scottish Government listened and scrapped these plans for good."

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