Commenting on Welsh Government plans to merge the Environment Agency, Countryside Council and Forestry Commission in Wales, Shadow Minister for Environment, Russell George AM said:
“There has been no openness or transparency from the Welsh Labour Government on this proposed merger. The business case remains unpublished, Assembly Members have not been able to scrutinise the plans and there has been no official consultation.
“Given the previous track record on amalgamating public bodies in Wales – specifically the mergers of the Welsh Development Agency and the Wales Tourist Board, which failed to achieve either value for money or improved outcomes – there are a number of concerns which must be urgently addressed before any decision is progressed.
“There are questions of accountability and scrutiny surrounding any new single environmental body that remain vague and unclear.”
Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, Antoinette Sandbach AM, said:
“While there may be evidence – although not made public – of a merger between the Countryside Council and Environment Agency, we do not believe the Forestry Commission should be included in this plan.
“It is an arms-length commercial body that should be left alone. Any merger incorporating the Commission would raise serious concerns over its estate and call the future of our commercial forestry industry into question.”
