Forestry minister Mary Creagh promises sector will play 'vital role'

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ENGLAND'S new forestry minister has said the sector will "play a vital role" in the country's net-zero ambitions. 

Mary Creagh, the first Labour politician to oversee the industry for more than 14 years, pledged to safeguard the nation's trees and forests, while committing to deliver on the new government's planting ambitions. 

Provisional data suggests England increased its woodland creation levels to 4,550 hectares in the 12 months prior to the end of March 2024. While still short of the rates needed to hit a UK-wide annual goal of 30,000 ha, it was a substantial rise on recent years, albeit coniferous species only accounted for 430 ha of the total. 

Ms Creagh replaces Rebecca Pow, who was one of hundreds of Conservatives ousted earlier this month. 

 “Nature in Britain is dying," Ms Creagh, the MP for Coventry East, said. "That is why the new Government is committed to delivering our Environment Act targets.

“We will introduce a Tree Planting Taskforce to turbocharge the planting of trees, deliver three new National Forests and increase tree canopy and woodland cover across our four nations. Only then can we protect our precious habitats and reach net zero. 

Former forestry minister Rebecca Pow was one of dozens of Conservative MPs ousted in the election (Image: Contributed)

“The forestry sector will play a vital role in this mission. Working in partnership, we will provide green jobs of the future and safeguard our trees and forests for generations to come.”

A spokesperson for Confor confirmed it had written to the new forestry minister, and looked forward to working with her. 

The spokesperson added: "Confor CEO Stuart Goodall met with Ms Creagh a number of times when she was shadow Secretary of the State for the Environment.

"We hope that as forestry minister Ms Creagh will at least maintain - if not increase - the momentum of rising woodland creation in England in addition to promoting greater use of homegrown wood, supporting more sustainable management of England’s forest and woodland resource – both hardwood and softwood."

Elsewhere, forestry leaders have welcomed the opportunity to work with the UK’s new environment secretary. 

Steve Reed OBE, the MP for Streatham and Croydon North, last month became the first Labour politician to hold the role since Hilary Benn in 2010. 

A former councillor and publisher, Mr Reed was previously shadow environment secretary, and is now tasked with delivering Sir Keir Starmer’s manifesto pledge of creating three new national forests in England. 

Stuart Goodall, left, with Steve Reed (Image: Supplied)

“It is the privilege of my life to lead this department and serve our great country,” he said in the wake of his appointment. “The work starts now.”

In the weeks following his appointment, Mr Reed prioritised issues around England’s water sector and farming. 

Stuart Goodall, chief executive at Confor, welcomed the MP’s recognition of the importance of woodland creation. 

Stuart said: “I was pleased to meet with Mr Reed at the Labour Party Conference in 2023 on the Confor stand, and we spoke about the growth potential of the industry, the importance of timber security and future wood availability, as well as the serious challenge of deer and grey squirrel damage. 

“Traditionally, Labour hasn’t had clear policies for the forestry and timber sector but in the election campaign it recognised the need to increase woodland creation. 

“Baroness Sue Hayman has previously welcomed the former government’s Timber in Construction Roadmap that Confor helped to develop and indicated that Labour would like to see this implemented when in power. It’s positive, therefore, to see that Sue has been appointed as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.”