© 1993 by Institute of Chartered Foresters
Making British Forest Policy Work
1Oxford Forestry Institute, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RB, England
2Planning and Economic Development Department, Staffordshire County Council, County Buildings Martin Street, Stafford, ST16 2LE, England
Recent debate about British forest policy has been particularly intense, and has led to major changes in the emphasis and administration of policy. New prospects have emerged for lowland afforestation, and the relative importance accorded wood production objectives has declined. Changing public opinion and expectations, and changing land use priorities, offer British foresters and forestry many opportunities and challenges. The authors believe that a heightened awareness of the context and role of forest policy is essential if the forestry profession is to meet these challenges. This paper summarizes the nature of forest policy, and proposes various means by which British forest policy might develop to address its new circumstances. It is suggested that the generally-agreed objectives of British forest policy will best be realized by substantive changes in the administration, implementation and financing of policy measures.
Received 28 July 1992.