Resource information
This Act, governing forestry contains, after amendments made to it, virtually all statute law relating to forestry in the Great Britain. The provisions of the Act concentrate almost exclusively on forestry administration and related matters and the powers of an authority here continued, the Forestry Commissioners, to control felling. The Commissioners, established by the 1919 Forestry Act, are charged with the general duty of promoting the interests of Forestry, with the development of afforestation and the production and supply of timber and other forest products in Great Britain (sect. 1). In pursuance of their duties they shall maintain a balance between economic interests and conservation of flora, fauna and the landscape. The Commissioners, appointed by Her Majesty, shall in turn appoint committees for England, Scotland, and Wales respectively (sect. 2). The Commissioners may manage, plant, and otherwise use for purposes of this Act, any land placed at their disposal by the Minister under section 3. Section 5 makes provision for the conclusion of "forestry dedication covenants" and "forestry dedication agreements" between Commissioners and landowners and other persons for the dedication of land to forestry. Part II (sects. 9-36) spells out powers of the Commissioners to grant felling licences, to give felling directions (sect. 18), and to otherwise control felling of growing or protected trees. Section 14 concerns the felling of trees under an approved felling plan based on a forestry dedication covenant or agreement. Sections 37 and 38 provide for a Central Advisory Committee for Great Britain and regional advisory committees for each conservancy. A conservancy is an area in Great Britain which may be designated as such by the Commissioners. The Minister may acquire land under section 40 and is granted power of compulsory purchase. The Forestry Fund constituted under the 1919 Act is continued under section 41. Commissioners may make by-laws in respect of any land which is under control under section 46. The Act consists of 51 sections completed by 7 Schedules.
Amended by: Scotland Act 1998 (Cross-Border Public Authorities) (Forestry Commissioners) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 746 of 2000). (2000-03-15)
Amended by: Regulatory Reform (Forestry) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 780 of 2006). (2006-03-15)
Amended by: Forestry Commissioners (Climate Change Functions) (Scotland) Order 2012 (S.S.I. No. 77 of 2012). (2012-02-29)
Amended by: Forestry Commissioners (Climate Change Functions) (Scotland) Order 2012 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 2855 (S. 1) of 2012). (2012-11-07)
Amended by: Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 (2015 Asp 6). (2015-07-24)
Amended by: Planning Act 2008 (Cap. 29). (2008-11-26)
Amended by: Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (2004 asp 6). (2004-06-11)
Repealed by: Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (2018 asp 8). (2018-05-01)
