Say No To Privatising Scotland's Forests

1.39.31pm GMT Tue 13th Jan 2009

European Prospective Parliamentary Candidate George Lyon and Alan Reid MP have branded the SNP Government's plans to privatise Scotland's forests as a disaster for Argyll & Bute. The two politicians spent yesterday meeting community groups and forest contractors who raised their deep concerns about the impact that the privatisation plans will have on local jobs and local community projects which use Forestry Commission land.

Many of them such as the Kintyre Way, the Dalriada Project, the Loch Awe Improvement Association and the Mid Argyll Cycle Club could be threatened if the Forestry Commission land is handed over to the private sector.

The Forestry Commission in Argyll directly employs at least 135 local people with another 250 employed by sub contractors to the industry. Sources close to the Forestry Commission informed the local politicians that if the private sector took over the management of local forests in Argyll they would only employ less than 50 people to directly manage the woods as two thirds of Forestry Commission employees work on path maintenance, leisure, archaeological and heritage projects.

George Lyon said "Privatising Argyll's forests could have disastrous consequences for local employment in this constituency. Sources close to the Forestry Commission have told us that if the private sector were managing their forests nearly two thirds of jobs could be lost.

"The Government claim that only 25% of Scotland's Forests will be privatised, but you can guarantee that this is the thin edge of the wedge".

Alan Reid MP said "Local community groups are concerned about loss of local accountability and future support for local projects on Forestry Commission land if it was privatised. We are calling on as many local people as possible to respond to the Scottish Government's consultation and send them a strong message saying NO to the privatisation of Scotland's forests".

Responses to the consultation should be sent to Liz Kirk, Forestry Commission Scotland, Silvan House, 231 Costorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 7AT.

Or email liz.kirk @forestry.gsi.gov.uk