|
|
Magazine Issue 4 - Summer 1997
|
| Timber Companies Target Ancient Forests A special report on the maneuverings behind the scenes at Pressmennan Ancient Semi-natural Woodlands are the surviving remnants of the wildwood that once covered the whole country. Most are tiny, isolated, fragile fragments which have endured the parasitic onslaught of humanity by clinging to steep, inaccessible slopes. Nowadays, we have the technology to make possible and the markets to make profitable the ravaging of these ravines. The Forestry Commission (FC), the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and English Nature (EN) are the Government bodies responsible for Britain's woodlands. The FC are champions of industry, they view landowners as their "client base", encourage exports, sell off their forests and defend landowners' rights to do what the hell they want with "their", land (worse in Scotland). The SNH only needs to be consulted over felling plans in SSSIs, and even then, they only have powers to stop development. Generally, they do the opposite to what they are supposed to do by facilitating the appearance of "compromise" and publicly backing a project to give it a green look. They recently supported the MoD when they were exploding massive bombs under water in the Forth - an area frequented by inquisitive dolphins. Magnus Magnusson is the appointed figurehead for the SNH - the man who must be right - his official stance on the final legally thrashed out deal of the Pressmennan campaign (an ancient oakwood in East Lothian threatened with mass commercial felling) was "a balance of conservation requirements with the legitimate financial requirements of the owner." Sadly, the FC has stated its commitment to encourage conservation by landowners only according to the "Voluntary Principle". Britain has signed up to the official "Costed Habitat Action Plan for Upland Oakwoods" which specifies that fragile ancient woodlands like Pressmennan, which are vital as cores of biodiversity, must be managed on a MINIMUM INTERVENTION basis for conservation. The original "Pressmennan Wood North - A Conservation Strategy ", written by professional foresters, ecologists and lovers of the wood was backed by all the local community associations and petitions. It did not entail the felling of a single oak, but ensured the healthy regeneration of the wood and protection of its inhabitants. This plan was barely acknowledged by the FC and was withheld from their acting expert. A reduced plan by the owner to fell 369 mature trees was approved. When you discover who's in charge of Britain's Forestry Commission, you are sadly reminded that politics and business are in fact one - CAPITALISM. The Director General is none other than notorious earth rapist David Bills. In 1983, Bills ran one of the main timber companies which was destroying Tasmania's rainforest and exporting the timber to Japan for woodchip. He jailed environmental protester David Bellamy who subsequently nearly died during a defiant hunger strike. This man obviously knows how to get his hands on valuable timber, and how to oppress protesters. Bellamy has joined the campaign for a rematch with his old adversary, and to expose the timber companies intent on pillaging the remaining 1% of our native woodlands. Last April he told our local paper - "The Lammermuir Denes are among the richest sites for wildlife and landscape value in East Lothian, but apparently a timber contractor from Northumberland (A? Scott) can just walk in, wave a wad of cash, and set to with chainsaws to destroy what's left of East Lothian's natural heritage". A? Scott sent scouts to identify sources of timber suitable for export to Germany, and offered owners £1000s to gain access to their oak woodlands - one of which was Pressmennan. A? Scott clear-cut and utterly devastated Oswald Dene, previously a beautiful, undisturbed ancient woodland which was overflowing with wildlife. Consequently they are due in court to face charges of illegal felling. Owners were advised to employ "management consultants" to front the operations hence concealing the contractors initial involvement. Last Autumn, new legislation was introduced which denied local authorities their right to consultation over similar felling proposals. As Bellamy explains - "The new system means that the FC, able to write their own guidelines, have become judge, jury, poacher and gamekeeper, all parcelled up together for convenience." Meanwhile, in the same tradition, Bills and the FC "reduce the complexity and administrative burdens" of conservation by ignoring, delaying and minimising EU requirements. Britain has agreed to comply with the Habitats Directive and to fulfil its 'Natura 2000' obligations by 2004, but as yet, no Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) have been designated. Pressmennan as a whole merits this status on at least two counts, additionally containing several protected species including bats, badgers and lichens. Our already rare oakwoods are among the last to be protected in the world. In the global market, the value of hardwood timber increases while the source is depleted. Sessile oak has a unique green hue, and satisfies lucrative niche markets like veneer in expensive cars and flasks for making fine whiskey. Britain's business machine is keen, mean and competitive. Our ancient woods, coal, oil and very mountains - or should I say 'business assets' remain free to be liquidated. Politicians and business men would do well to remember that ancient woodlands are our last connections with the lands' true life and nature. Lose these and we have to wait 13000 years for anything so complex and amazing to return. Wild Life. As the druids would testify ancient woods teach us all we really need to know - they are after all, and we forget, our Natural Habitat. WAND: Tel : 01368 850 630 Would you like to get involved in saving Pressmennan? Here's how:
|