Forestry Commission Trade Unions - www.fctu.org.uk
Scottish Climate Change Bill:
Scottish Climate Change Bill - Get Involved!
Some of the proposals outlined in the consultation paper represent the biggest challenge to our jobs, the integrity of the FC and the sustainability of the Scottish Forestry sector that we have seen for over ten years.
Therefore whilst it is important that we support those elements of the proposals that will make a positive contribution to tackling climate change, it is essential that all members start to take an active role—right now—to oppose the plans to lease long-term full management and cutting rights over at least 25% of the National Forest Estate in Scotland.
1. Spread the Word
It is important that as many people as possible become involved in helping to protect our jobs and Scotland's forests. Please speak to your colleagues about the proposals and ensure that they take an active interest and respond to the consultation. Getting more people involved is one of the most effective ways to help our campaign.
NEW Click on the image to the right to download a poster for your office >
Please also encourage more people to join a union - there's never been a more important time.
If you are a non-union member, then please join up now - join a union.
2. Tell Us What You Think
Over the next few days we hope to publish an online survey for you to tell us what you think about the proposals, but for now please tell us what you think either by email (unions@forestry.gsi.gov.uk) or by using our contact form.
3. Contact Your MSP
The easiest way to find out which MSP represents your local area, and what their address is, is via the Scottish Parliament website where you can search for your MSP using your postcode or address: Scottish Parliament MSP Locator.
Also you can find out more about your local MSPs and contact them directly by visiting: www.theyworkforyou.com.
You can also email your MSP directly through: www.writetothem.com
Once you have found out who your MSP is, you can use the information on either website to contact them either by letter, email or telephone. It shouldn't matter which method you use.
What to Say
What you say in your letter is clearly up to you(!), but some general points you may wish to make are:
- Start your letter/email by making clear that you are a local constituent and that you are concerned about the the proposal to lease 25% of the National Forest Estate to a private and almost certainly foreign-owned investment company.
- Indicate that your letter refers to the proposed Forestry Amendment within the Scottish Climate Change Bill.
- The proposals are out for consultation until 27th January: ask your MSP if he/she has read the the consultation document, and what his/her view is on it?
- State your concern about how the proposals would transfer control of 25% of the National Forest Estate to a private and almost certainly foreign-owned investment company.
- State your concern about how the proposal could cost hundreds of good quality Scottish jobs within local rural communities.
- Ask your MSP if he/she would meet with you to discuss the proposals and your concerns.
Clearly, you should always be polite and courteous to your MSP, irrespective of how strong your feelings are. MSPs also receive a lot of correspondence, so it is best to try and keep your letter as short as possible whilst still making all of the points you wish to cover.
Further guidance is available at: www.writetothem.com/about-qa
4. Attend a Meeting
FCS are arranging a number of meetings across SCotland over the coming weeks to allow the opportunity for all FCS staff to hear about this issue and to discuss the implications. The dates, venues and start times of the meetings are:
| Date | Area | Location | Union Attendees | Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25th Nov | Edinburgh | Holiday Inn, Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6UA |
Allan MacKenzie Mary Irvine Linda McGinley |
10.00 for 10.30 |
| 2nd Dec | Stirling | Royal Hotel, 55 Henderson Street, Bridge Of Allan, FK9 4HG |
Allan MacKenzie Gordon Donaldson Malcolm Crosby |
09.30 for 10.00 |
| 8th Dec | Inverness | Thistle Hotel, Millburn Road, Inverness, IV2 3TR |
Allan MacKenzie Robert Beaney |
09.30 for 10.00 |
| 22nd Dec | Perth | Dewars Ice Rink, Glover Street, Perth, PH2 0TH |
Allan MacKenzie Gordon Donaldson |
10.00 for 10.30 |
| 9th Jan | Aviemore | Coylumbridge Hotel, Aviemore, Inverness, PH22 1QN |
Allan MacKenzie Gordon Donaldson |
10.00 for 10.30 |
| 12th Jan | Oban | Regent Hotel, Esplanade, Oban, PA34 5PZ |
Allan MacKenzie Robert Beaney |
10.00 for 10.30 |
| 14 Jan | Dumfries | Cairndale Hotel, English Street, Dumfries, DG1 2DF |
Allan MacKenzie Malcolm Crosby |
10.00 for 10.30 |
| 21 Jan | Stranraer | North West Castle Hotel, Stranraer, DG9 8EH |
Allan MacKenzie Malcolm Crosby |
10.00 for 10.30 |
Coffee/tea and hot rolls will be available on arrival. The meetings will take two hours and include a presentation and a question and answer session with Bob and Hugh Insley or Les Bryson, followed with a soup and sandwich lunch. After lunch, we will hold a one hour meeting with members to give you an opportunity to give us your feedback. Please make every effort to come along.
5. Message to Partner Organisations
On the 4th November 2008 Michael Russell MSP, the Scottish Environment Minister, announced a consultation on a forestry provision in the forthcoming Scottish Climate Change Bill (SCCB). The consultation seeks views on a range of proposals including the potential to lease the management of 25% of the National Forest Estate to a large investment company for up to 75 years.
we are asking representatives of all environmental, recreation and conservation groups based in Scotland for your support in opposing this element of the proposals. Whilst we support the need to maximise the National Forest Estate’s contribution to tackling climate change (particularly through greater partnership working, through the sustainable sequestration of additional carbon, through the expansion of renewable energy programmes and through support for promoting sustainable local communities), we are sceptical of the plans to release capital through the leasing of management and cutting rights and are concerned at the lack of a viable business model to underpin the proposals.
We are particularly concerned that the pre-selling of our timber reserve through a land-lease proposal will remove the long-term income stream that the FC relies on to deliver much of its conservation, education and recreation programmes. The Minister as indicated that these programmes will not be affected by the proposals, but can give no indication of how they will be managed or funded.
The unions have already begun to lobby against the proposals and would ask that your organisation join with us in this endeavour, by ensuring that your organisation responds to the consultation, and by using any available opportunity to raise your concerns with MSPs and other locally elected officials.
Should you like or require any further information then please do not hesitate to contact us, otherwise can I thank you in anticipation for your support.