Forest Land Consultation

No doubt you've heard by now of the plan to farm out the management of publicly owned land. The consultation is here but the on-line forms are biased to how to go about doing it, rather than addressing the question over whether it should be done in the first place.

This is what I sent in to publicconsultation@forestry.gsi.gov.uk ...

Dear Sir/Madam,

Having battled my way through the on line response form, I find that it is biased towards progressing with the idea rather than discussing the idea itself. Hence I am writing this letter.

The country is facing a number of problems. Financial and potentially one of food production.

Firstly, there is the issue of management. Any third party whether commercial or charity, will need the aim of turning a profit; otherwise their organisations would not survive. For government to turn this opportunity to other bodies while overlooking the opportunity for such profit to come in to the public purse, simply serves to highlight the inability of the government to control and manage such a resource.

Secondly, the major issue of food production. To turn category one land over to development will lock that land away from food production. With imported food prices rising, the government needs land on which we can grow food or graze animals. The inability to feed its population will inevitably lead to riots.

Pulling up trees which can be used for fuel and fertiliser and then plough the land for food production is one thing. To turn up concrete which has to be dumped somewhere and then try and plough the land, is another.

Of concern to me are the developing countries demands for more complex food sources; driving up demand and prices. The growing population of America having demand on its own food sources leaving less for them to export. The transport issue has not been solved so importing foodstufs from the US will cost more as oil prices continue to rise; the trans atlantic air ships are still not with us yet.

To turn land over for other agencies to make a profit shows an inability for government to properly manage our assets. Turning land over to development when the world food supply is in its current state is irresponsible.

Yours sincerely,