Day 058 - 30 Nov 94 - Page 47


     
     1        are aware of the fact that a number of species are
     2        threatened by standardised and highly mechanised forestry".
     3          Would you agree that they have identified that the
     4        threats are caused by standardised and highly mechanised
     5        forest, the threats to the species?
     6        A.  I think one has to say that the process of
     7        mechanisation in itself is no greater than the fact that
     8        you are using heavy machinery through a forest as opposed
     9        to individuals running through with chainsaws, and that by
    10        the very change in practice one needs to take into account
    11        the effects that that is likely to have.  As now more and
    12        more of the forest, even in countries where ownership is in
    13        small patches, as I have been explaining, 30 hectares at a
    14        time, they are, nevertheless, using mechanical processes
    15        which they were not using 10 years ago.  What this
    16        recognises is that those mechanical processes can have an
    17        effect on the environment.  The process of education
    18        introduced by the National Board of Forestry is very
    19        relevant to dealing with that changing situation.
    20
    21   Q.   In the third paragraph it is talking about this campaign,
    22        it says "during the last three years"?
    23        A.  Correct.
    24
    25   Q.   So it is a recent campaign, is it, as far as you
    26        understand?
    27        A.  Inevitably, with the progression that is going right
    28        through all countries now to ensure that forests are
    29        managed on a very broadly environmental and economic basis,
    30        this is the progression, and this is the stage which they
    31        have reached.  They are actually putting into effect the
    32        things that earlier on you were asking about the decisions
    33        made, now they are putting them into effect.
    34
    35   Q.   Right.  If we go on to page 14 of your statement, in the
    36        first paragraph on page 14, in the middle of the paragraph,
    37        you say:  "While ancient and long established woodlands
    38        represent the most valuable and irreplaceable habitats for
    39        wildlife and are therefore set aside in National Forests,
    40        forest parks" etc. "they are not alone in providing a home
    41        and a source of nutrition for wildlife."   So, there is a
    42        recognition there of the irreplaceable value for wildlife
    43        habitats for natural and long established woodlands; is
    44        that correct?
    45        A.  I think there is a recognition that if all ancient
    46        woodland were removed and converted into industrial land or
    47        agricultural or any other purposes taking it out of
    48        forestry, it would be an ecological disaster.  I do not
    49        think any forester would have any question of that and nor
    50        would they ever have done. 
    51 
    52   Q.   Then you say in the next paragraph:  "Recently planted 
    53        forests are immature ecosystems and have lower levels of
    54        biodiversity".  Do you mean recently established
    55        plantations or are you just talking about the fact that
    56        they have only got a year's growth or five-years growth or
    57        are you just talking about recently established mature
    58        plantations?
    59        A.  My Lord, I would like to answer that in two ways;
    60        firstly, to say that it must be apparent that as you go

Prev Next Index