The SNP Scottish Government has come under fire from local Lib Dem Willie Rennie MP over its proposal to lease the rights of some of the most commercially viable Scottish forests to private investment companies.

MP Willie Rennie has tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons calling for all publicly owned forests to stay in the hands of the Forestry Commission.Willie Rennie MP

Commenting, Mr Rennie said;

“At a time when so many Scottish jobs are under threat, the SNP’s proposal to lease Scottish forests to private companies will be of huge concern for those working in the Forestry Commission and for all the firms contracted by it.

“Judging by this proposal, the SNP clearly have no appreciation of how important the Scottish forests are as a tourist attraction; but also the detrimental effects that this proposal could have on the Scottish landscape, economy and environment.

“Instead of trying to raise a quick buck by leasing Scottish forests to private companies, the SNP have to understand the long term importance of keeping the Scottish forests in public hands. The SNP Government should seek immediately to abandon this bungled proposal and withdraw it from the Scottish Climate Change Bill.”

Notes:

EDM 467: Maintaining Public Ownership of Scottish Forests
That this House notes with deep concern the SNP Scottish Government's proposal to lease 25% of the most commercially viable, publicly-owned Scottish forests to private investment companies for up to 75 years; further notes that the 25% could equate to 40% of production for the Forestry Commission, which could significantly diminish essential income for investment in maintaining tourist activities such as the 7stanes network and for creating new leisure-access initiatives such as mountain biking, walking, orienteering and other community woodland projects; recognises the importance of Scotland's woods and forests and the potential for raising capital for expansion of woodland cover; considers that Forestry Commission jobs and associated jobs are under threat; recognises that timber and wood processing companies depend on security of wood supply and that Forestry Commission cutting contracts face an uncertain future if those cutting rights are taken away; urges the SNP Scottish Government to commit to maintaining sufficient availability of wood for these industries; considers that the SNP Scottish Government should commission a comprehensive survey of wood availability and demand, in conjunction with Forestry Commission Scotland, Forestry Commission Wales and Forestry Commission England and with the wood industries; recognises with concern the detrimental effects that this proposal could have on the Scottish landscape, economy and environment, and calls for its immediate withdrawal from the Scottish Climate Change Bill.