Productive Forestry Planting 2023-11-29
2023-11-29
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asked about discussions on supporting productive forestry planting, highlighting the importance of conifers and their current low percentage.
Whether his Department has had recent discussions with the Scottish Government on supporting productive forestry planting in Scotland. Conifers, which are the main species planted for productive forestry, account for just under half the area of UK woodland. Does my hon. Friend agree that there should now be a UK-wide target for 60% of new planting to be productive forestry, allowing Scotland to lead the way in delivering a secure supply of raw materials to support British manufacturing and construction?
I very much welcome this question, which is timely in National Tree Week. Reforestation is a crucial way for us all to reduce carbon emissions and improve biodiversity across the country. Although this policy is devolved, the UK Government continue to work with the devolved Administrations to deliver UK-wide change in tree planting and establishment. I thank my hon. Friend for her excellent question. There are high ambitions across the United Kingdom to increase forestry planting. I agree that we must secure a steady supply of the raw materials needed to support Britain's construction and manufacturing industries.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP asked specifically about setting a UK-wide target for 60% new productive forestry planting, but no specific commitment was made.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP asked about discussions on supporting productive forestry planting, highlighting the importance of conifers and their current low percentage.
Whether his Department has had recent discussions with the Scottish Government on supporting productive forestry planting in Scotland. Conifers, which are the main species planted for productive forestry, account for just under half the area of UK woodland. Does my hon. Friend agree that there should now be a UK-wide target for 60% of new planting to be productive forestry, allowing Scotland to lead the way in delivering a secure supply of raw materials to support British manufacturing and construction?
I thank my hon. Friend for her excellent question. There are high ambitions across the United Kingdom to increase forestry planting. I agree that we must secure a steady supply of the raw materials needed to support Britain's construction and manufacturing industries.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP asked specifically about setting a UK-wide target for 60% new productive forestry planting, but no specific commitment was made.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asked about the intentions of the Scottish Government to establish a new national park or forest similar to recent announcements for England.
Last week, the Government announced that there will be a new national park and a new national forest in England. Do the Scottish Government, or the Minister, have any intention of doing something similar for Scotland?
There are great ambitions for an additional national park in Scotland, and my Scottish Conservative colleagues are pushing very hard for that. If the hon. Gentleman needs more information, he should please write to me. I will respond with the required detail.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP asked if there were any intentions of establishing a new national park or forest, but no specific commitment was made beyond mentioning ambition and encouraging written communication for further details.
If The Hon. Gentleman Needs More Information, He Should Please Write To Me.
Response accuracy