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Forestry U-turn on wood foraging Forestry U-turn on wood foraging
(about 1 hour later)
Forestry Commission Wales officials have changed their minds and decided to allow people to collect firewood from woods this winter. Forestry officials have changed their minds and decided to allow people to collect firewood from woods in Wales this winter.
However, it may be the last year it is allowed however as the commission wants to set up a network of local merchants to do the work. However, it may be the last year it is allowed however as Forestry Commission Wales wants to set up a network of local merchants to do the work.
It manages woodlands owned by the Welsh Assembly Government and said the new system would benefit more people.It manages woodlands owned by the Welsh Assembly Government and said the new system would benefit more people.
Foragers want to carry on the centuries -old tradition of collecting firewood. But foragers say they will campaign to carry on the ancient tradition.
The commission said it needed to clarify its position following "a furore" when it was reported last week that members of the public had been told they could no longer receive individual licences to collect wood from forests. I can't see why after hundreds of years why we can't access this firewood Mike Kamp, forager The commission said it needed to clarify its position following "a furore" when it was reported last week that members of the public had been told they could no longer receive individual licences to collect wood from forests. We go into the forest collect the wood and dry it to burn, we are carbon neutral, and proud of it Mike Kamp, forager
Head of estate management Peter Garson said: "We have heard the arguments put forward on this issue over the past week and have listened to those people who are affected by the work we do in sustainably managing our woodlands."Head of estate management Peter Garson said: "We have heard the arguments put forward on this issue over the past week and have listened to those people who are affected by the work we do in sustainably managing our woodlands."
He said the commission was happy to let people know that individual request for licences to collect firewood would now be considered.He said the commission was happy to let people know that individual request for licences to collect firewood would now be considered.
However he said there may sometimes be sound practical reasons not to issue a licence, such as the importance of dead and decaying timber as part of the woodland ecosystem.However he said there may sometimes be sound practical reasons not to issue a licence, such as the importance of dead and decaying timber as part of the woodland ecosystem.
It was also an important habitat for insects and fungi, and there had to be a reasonable assessment of the potential risks involved, he added.It was also an important habitat for insects and fungi, and there had to be a reasonable assessment of the potential risks involved, he added.
The new system will allow more people to access wood as a fuel source, he added.The new system will allow more people to access wood as a fuel source, he added.
Health and safetyHealth and safety
"We understand that more and more people are turning to wood to heat their homes and we want to ensure that everybody, including the elderly and infirm, is able to have access to this wonderful fuel source," he said."We understand that more and more people are turning to wood to heat their homes and we want to ensure that everybody, including the elderly and infirm, is able to have access to this wonderful fuel source," he said.
The current system of issuing lots of individual collecting permits took a heavy toll on time and resources, he said.The current system of issuing lots of individual collecting permits took a heavy toll on time and resources, he said.
The new system would also create employment, he added.The new system would also create employment, he added.
One of those involved, Mike Kamp, had said last week that the wood he collected for the wood burning stove at his home in the Conwy Valley had no commercial value. One of those involved, Mike Kamp, said he welcomed the news of the U-turn but "the battle is not won yet".
"I can't see why after hundreds of years why we can't access this firewood. Mr Kamp, of the Conwy Valley, said he disagreed with the commission's reasons for wanting the change as using contractors to collect wood to sell was not an environmentally friendly way to work.
"They quote health and safety as one of the reasons, but we only collect wood a metre of two from the road anyway. "We go into the forest collect the wood and dry it to burn, we are carbon neutral, and proud of it," he said.
"And we don't use tools such as chainsaws in the forest," he added. "This will not be true of companies who use large plant to collect it.
"A campaign has now built up and we intend to continue to fight until we are allowed to keep gathering firewood," he added.