Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow was yesterday (21st October) elected Chair of a brand new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Ancient Woodland and Veteran Trees.
The group aims to bring together MPs and Members of the House of Lords from across the political spectrum to raise awareness of ancient woodland; examine the threats it faces; to consider the steps necessary to protect it; and to discuss how to better value and protect the nation’s veteran and special trees.
Ancient woodland is defined as land that has been continuously wooded since 1600. The soils of these woods remain undamaged by intensive farming practices or pesticides and this is a crucial element that makes these rare woodland habitats so important.
These unique undisturbed soils and the fungi that grow within them help to form what is widely considered to be the UK’s richest land habitat. The ancient woodland ecosystem provides a home for more than 256 species of conservation concern, many of which are unable to survive anywhere else.
Just 2% of the land area of the UK is covered in ancient woodland and it is under increasing threat from development. The Taunton Deane constituency has 8.9% Woodland cover and 65 ancient and veteran trees and Rebecca is keen to see these figures maintained.
Adding to tree cover is an important part of the work that the Woodland Trust undertakes and they now provide trees to local communities and schools through their ‘tree pack’ initiative. There have already been 9 tree packs distributed in Taunton and Rebecca is keen to hear from anyone else who like to take advantage of this fantastic offer.
The group’s first meeting took place yesterday in Parliament, where Chesham and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan and Litchfield MP Michael Fabricant were elected Vice-Chairs of the group and other elected officers include Huw Irranca-Davies, Mark Spencer and Liz Saville-Roberts.
As a first step towards protection, the group agreed to send a letter to DEFRA to get Standing Advice on ancient woodland reinstated on Natural England’s website.
Rebecca Pow MP said:
“I am delighted to be elected chair of this new group, which we hope will do important work over the course of this parliament to raise the profile of ancient woodland and veteran trees and make positive steps to ensure these are better protected. Trees are a vital part of our environment and the ancient woodlands here in the UK are the equivalent of precious rain forests all over the world”
James Cooper, Woodland Trust Head of Government Affairs, said:
“Each ancient wood is a unique product of its location, geology, soils, climate and history – conditions that cannot be re-created elsewhere. They are places of inordinate beauty, reservoirs of archaeology and economic history, and a source of inspiration for local culture and folklore. Increasingly, decision-makers are acknowledging the value of ancient woodland, yet the Woodland Trust has on record more ancient woods under threat from development than ever before. This precious habitat is not sufficiently protected in the law and we hope this new, cross-party group will help lead to better recognition and protection of these irreplaceable woods and trees – before it’s too late.”