Forestry workers, environmentalists and political opponents have welcomed the Scottish Government�s confirm-ation that it is abandoning its controversial plan to lease publicly owned forests.
Forestry workers, environmentalists and political opponents have welcomed the Scottish Government's confirm-ation that it is abandoning its controversial plan to lease publicly owned forests to private companies for up to 75 years.
Part of the climate change Bill, the proposals would have seen money from leasing and "cutting rights", a potential £200m, used to invest in woodland creation.
However, a consultation on the future of Scotland's forests prompted worries about the impact on jobs, wildlife and public access - as well as the principle of selling cutting rights by leasing sections of public land.
SNP activists in areas with a high Forestry Commission Scotland presence had been outraged at the plan, which could have seen up to a quarter of FCS woodland hived off, particularly in Argyll and Dumfries and Galloway.
LibDem leader Tavish Scott yesterday welcomed the news and criticised previous environment minister Mike Russell. "The new environment minister has performed the welcome U-turn that Mike Russell was too arrogant to see through," he said.
Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham yesterday wrote to members of Holyrood's Rural Affairs Committee to state that the leasing proposal has been ruled out by ministers.
Green MSP Robin Harper said: "Our woodlands need investment, not asset-stripping, and this is therefore a welcome decision. It's now time for the SNP to prioritise community access to our forests and to commit to restoring these jewels in Scotland's environmental crown."
