PUBLIC FOREST ESTATE

That this House notes that the Independent Panel on Forestry is due to publish its report and recommendations to Government on the future of our public woods in early July; believes that public ownership of the Public Forest Estate must be secured through new legislation; and further believes that the rich cultural, historical and natural diversity of our forests and woods, and full access to them, is best protected under the continued stewardship of the Forestry Commission, fully resourced to sustainably manage and expand our multi-purpose Public Forest Estate now and in the future.