Speaking in a Senedd debate on the Welsh Government’s strategy for woodland and trees this afternoon , William Graham AM highlighted the need for urgent action to ensure the outcomes listed in the ‘Woodlands for Wales Action Plan’ are met.
‘Moves must be taken to simplify and improve the grants process. As the CLA in Wales have observed it is very sad that many landowners, including Forestry Commission Wales, have effectively abandoned many woods from active management owing to prohibitive costs.’
The Conservative AM for South Wales East drew attention to the need to tackle the threat pests pose to Welsh Woodlands and the shortfall in wood available for biomass in Wales.
‘WAG must tackle the threat posed by deer, grey squirrels and invasive plant species, such as Japanese Knotweed, if their stated ambition of growing quality hardwoods in Wales is to be realised.’
‘If the shortfall in wood for biomass is allowed to continue it will damage the credibility of the Welsh Government’s commitment to sustainable development. Too many biomass projects are in reality a sham as the operators, including some Local Authorities, find them difficult to use and to source the wood chip and turn on the gas in lieu.’
‘The Welsh Government’s goal of increasing tree cover and creating new woodlands in Wales looks out of touch with reality given that the area of woodland cover in Wales has deteriorated by 1.7% in the last decade.’
