Sustainable forestry
There is now much public concern about the destruction of the earth’s forests and in the last few years, considerable debate and development of policy has taken place to try to ensure that more forests are managed sustainably.
The UK government's twin aims in its forestry policy are to encourage a steady expansion of our woodland area to provide benefits to society and the environment, and also to encourage the sustainable management of our existing woods and forests. These aims are broadly reflected in the policies of the National Park Authority and are part of our wider commitment to sustainable development.
Sustainable forestry has many interpretations but usually recognizes the importance of economic, social and environmental values in forest management.
Many of our woods are too small to be sustained in the longer term without management and they are often vulnerable to the effects of surrounding land uses, deer browsing, stock, squirrels, invasive, species, or wider environmental issues. Bringing more woodland into management is now considered to be vital if they are to have a long term future.
The general public supports woodland management through taxation because many of the benefits that woodlands bring are to society at large rather than the individual landowner. Continued public support for forestry and the involvement of local communities are important to the continued sustainable use of our woods. Creditable assurances that wood products come from sustainably managed woods is becoming more and more important.
The Forestry Commission has responsibility for regulating and supporting British forestry through such mechanisms as the English Woodland Grant Scheme, felling licences and Environmental Assessment regulations. Work in woodlands is expected to comply with the UK Forestry Standard, which sets out the government's approach to sustainable forestry. However, this is a national set of standards and the international forest products markets increasingly demand assurances about the quality and environmental impacts of forest management in a wider marketplace.
Sustainable forestry therefore needs to be considered in the international context and the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) represents a coming together of many organizations with an interest in sustainable forest management. UKWAS sets out a certification standard which is widely recognized. UKWAS not only reflects the UK Forestry Standard and European guidelines but is also recognized as the GB standard for the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) recognition.
The FSC is an international body which labels forest products to provide a creditable guarantee that the product has come from a well managed forest, which has been independently certified. Gaining the FSC logo is increasingly necessary to access markets as consumers become more aware of environmental issues.
Further information on sustainable forest management is available from the Forestry Commission. Information on the FSC’s standard setting procedures is available from the Forest Stewardship Council
Yorwoods, a local woodland initiative, may be able to provide advice and assistance with the certification of small woods and their products. For more information is available from Yorwoods
Other useful information may be found on the following websites:
Royal Forestry Society
Institute of Chartered Foresters
Forestry and Timber Association
