BHS hails government u-turn on forests
17th February 2011The British Horse Society (BHS) welcomes the announcement that the consultation on the future management of the Public Forest Estate has been halted and all forestry clauses in the Public Bodies Bill will be removed.
As the UK’s largest equestrian charity the BHS was concerned that the proposals to sell off the public forest estate contained no details as to how the permissive access that equestrians enjoy in many of our forests would be preserved in the event of sales going ahead.
Mark Weston, Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, said: “The announcement will be a great relief to all equestrians. This has been a significant lobbying victory for equestrians and other interested parties.
“However, we now need to make sure that the Government lives up to its various pronouncements that it wants to see improved access for equestrians in our forests. The Forestry Commission should now dedicate rights of access for equestrians in our forests pursuant to section 16 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, so that our access is never put in danger again.”