| Abstract: | The economic problems of private forestry are intimately boundup with those of the State and the supporting industries. With the aim of becoming 25 per cent self-supporting, and tocreate a U.K. industry with overall efficiency, competitiveby world standards, a national forest is proposed of 7 millionacres with a minimum annual planting programme of 120,000 acres.This could be achieved 60 per cent by the State and 40 per centby private interests. Eight full-scale fully integrated sawmills, pulp, paper, andparticle board mills will be required for each 1 million acresof coniferous forests. The industries should be situated locallyto the forests, to draw timber supplies from a radius of notmore than 30 miles, and with the provision of adequate internaland external roads. To maintain confidence in a long-term industry there is theneed for continued Government support. If the private sectoris to play its part there must be no change in the grant aidsystem and the helpful tax structure. For efficiency in the forest there must be careful investmentplanning and choice of site, improved management, silviculture,harvesting and marketing techniques, increased specializationof men and machines, and a proper integration of forestry, agriculture,sporting, fishing, and public amenity. |
