Paterson praises Woodland Trust

He praised the work of the Trustand the tree planting done in that time. He said:

"I am impressed that you have 400,000 members and I am even more impressed at the number of trees you have planted - 16 million trees. And you said you have done six million this year to celebrate the Jubilee, which is great stuff and given the problems on ash we are going to need to plant plenty more trees."

The event was hosted by Neil Parish MP who read out a greeting from the Prime Minister who was unable to attend:

“The Woodland Trusthas grown to be one of the most important conservation charities in the country. Through its excellent and dedicated efforts, it has made a telling and vital contribution to the preservation and improvement of the United Kingdom’s woods and forests. I have no doubt that, with its committed and enthusiastic members, it will continue to inspire communities across the country to enjoy and value our woodlands. I would take this opportunity to offer the Trust and its members my best wishes and every success for the next 40 years.”

Owen Paterson explained the current situation with the Ash Dieback and that the UK must now have a 'radical rethink' about how it dealt with plant diseases. He said:

“I think we have got to have a completely radical rethink on how we handle plant diseases. Up until now they have been seen as a free trade commodity. I am just not sure that is appropriate now given the huge importance of forests and trees as part of our national heritage, as part of our natural environment and a key part of our £12bn rural tourism”.

Founded by Kenneth Watkins MBE in 1972, the Woodland Trustacquired its first wood - Avon Valley in Devon - in 1973. Its total estate is now more than 1,200 woods and 12,230 hectares.

The Trustcontinue to highlight the wide range of health and wellbeing benefits which trees and woodland offer. These benefits include improving physical and mental health, childhood fitness and opportunities for community participation. The Trustis keen to increase these benefits beyond the 14.5% of people in England who live with 500m of a wood they are allowed to walk in.

The recent Independent Panel on Forestry said that England's woodland cover totals 9.9%. The Woodland Trustfully endorse the Panel recommendation to increase this to 15% by 2060.

The event was also attended by the Woodland TrustPresident Clive Anderson and other MPs including: Sir George Young, Angela Smith, Andrew George, James Paice, Martin Horwood, Neil Carmichael, Annette Brooke and Bob Stewart.