North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has raised the Welsh Government’s goal to increase forestry and woodland in Wales and emphasised that in doing so it is vital that biodiversity is genuinely protected.  

Calling for a Welsh Government Statement on Forestry and Biodiversity in yesterday’s Business Statement, Mr Isherwood expressed concern that widespread planting has resulted in massive habitat loss and called on those in power to ensure that does not happen going forward.

He said:  

“The Welsh Government wants woodland cover in Wales to increase by at least 2,000 hectares per annum. When I attended the Curlew Summit in 10 Downing Street as the Wales Species Champion for the Curlew last July, we heard that widespread planting of conifers on uplands had led to massive habitat loss, and it was not just the planted land that destroyed the birds, but the land in a large area around the forest ceased to be sustainable habitat for ground-nesting birds as the forest provides ideal cover for predators, mostly foxes, carrion crows and badgers.

“We need to know, therefore, in the context of the commendable goal to increase forestry and woodland in Wales, how we're going to ensure we have the right trees in the right places to genuinely protect biodiversity.

Responding, the Trefnydd, Rebecca Evans AM, said: “I know that there are particular pieces of work going on across Government, but the particularly interesting and exciting one, I think, is the work going on in terms of the National Forest for Wales. I know the Minister will be making a statement very shortly, and I think the intention is to launch this week”.

The Curlew is considered the most pressing bird conservation priority in Wales and across the UK.