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blackmagic

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DOG WALKERS AT RISK IF ENGLAND'S FORESTS ARE SOLD, WARNS KENNEL CLUB

 

The Kennel Club has warned that dog walkers will face increasing restrictions in the countryside if England’s forests are sold to private buyers.

 

The warning comes as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs today launched a public consultation to consider the future of Forestry Commission land, a large proportion of which has been identified as a target for sale by the Government.

 

The Kennel Club’s KC Dog group campaigns for dogs and their owners to enjoy maximum access to the UK’s open spaces. Forestry Commission land is currently one of the few places to promote off-lead exercise for dogs wherever possible and is not subject to dog control orders under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. Under a concordat signed in 2005, the Forestry Commission and the Kennel Club pledged to work together to improve human health and well-being through dog ownership, whilst respecting the forest environment and the needs of other users.

 

The Kennel Club is therefore highly concerned that private landowners with commercial interests may not show the same regard as the Forestry Commission for dog walkers. It warns that the privatisation of Forestry Commission sites could limit areas for off-lead exercise, push dog walkers onto farmland and wildlife hotspots, alter or revoke additional access permissions, such as those for sled dogs, and introduce unregulated parking charging.

 

Commenting on the Government’s plans, Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Communications Director, said: “The privatisation of England’s forests poses a real threat to dog owners across the country. The ability to freely exercise your dog in a safe open space is an essential part of promoting a dog’s health and welfare. The implementation of these proposals will put this at risk and therefore have a devastating impact upon the nation’s dog walkers and their dogs.”

 

The Kennel Club is calling upon all dog owners to respond to Defra’s consultation as a matter of urgency. A copy of the consultation document is available through both the Defra website (www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/index.htm) and the Forestry Commission website (www.forestry.gov.uk/england-pfe-consultation) and closes on 21st April 2011.

 

All consultation submissions should be sent to: Public Forest Estate Consultation Co-ordinator, Forestry Commission England, 620 Bristol Business Park, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1EJ.

 

 

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/3547/23/244/3

Edited by blackmagic
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There is a 50 page report here which apparently says that the cost to the government of selling off the forests would be more than the benefit. I haven't waded through the figures (already looked at too many today) but if someone has the time and inclination, the info is there.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jan/30/melvyn-bragg-lake-district-protests

 

 

 

The government has already committed to selling off 15 of the public forest estates in the hope of generating an extra £100m for the exchequer. The consultation process launched last week concerns a fresh plan to dispense with the remainder and is to run until 21 April. Opposition to the proposals is to come to a head on Wednesday. The Labour party has tabled an afternoon debate on the sale of forests and woodland and campaigners are expected to protest outside parliament.

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