Gildernew achieves Assembly agreement to Forestry Bill
26 May 2010
Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA has secured the final approval of the Assembly to important new legislation on forestry.
Following general debate and a vote on the Bill on Tuesday, the Final Stage of the Forestry Bill was secured in the Assembly.
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 the crucial amendments to the Bill agreed at Consideration Stage, and that the Bill was positively developed in a spirit of co-operation. We now have a very good and modern piece of legislation – flexible, balanced and completely fit for purpose”.
In moving the Forestry Bill, the Minister formally thanked the Chair, Vice-Chair and Members of the Committee for their extensive consideration of the Bill and for the publication of their comprehensive report. The Minister also added her thanks to the wide range of stakeholders for their positive involvement and constructive comments and advice during the various stages of the Bill.
Speaking after today’s debate in the Assembly the Minister said “The final approval of the Forestry Bill today in the Assembly is a milestone for the future development of our forestry sector. I am confident that the powers in the Forestry 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”.
The Minister concluded “The Forestry Bill is an excellent example of a devolution in action. We have all played our part from my Department to the Assembly Committee, with my own input. Working together to achieve consensus on a balanced, robust and significant piece of legislation. I want to thank the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee for their informed and constructive input.
“I look forward to continuing this work with the Committee on the two further Bills which I hope to introduce to the Assembly next year on Welfare of Animals and Dog Control. The Forestry Bill will now proceed to become law and an implementation timetable will be agreed.”
The Forestry Bill and the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum are available on the Assembly Website.
Notes to editors:
- 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 4 non-ministerial amendments were rejected. Further Consideration Stage was concluded without further amendment on 17 May and Final Stage on 25 May. The Bill will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Royal Assent. Implementation issues are under consideration, including the possible phasing-in of implementation.
- 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).
- There are nine local forest parks 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.
- 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 Government sustainability criteria, and as a result forests provide a balance of economic, environmental and social benefits to the people here.
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