Minister shows interest in FIZ

David Rutley was responding to calls for a FIZ in the county in a joint letter, co-ordinated by forestry and wood trade body Confor, which showed strong cross-party and cross-sector support for the idea.

A FIZ would identify an area suitable for new planting and create a positive environment – in terms of policy and investment – to make it happen. 

The letter to the Minister was signed by Confor CEO Stuart Goodall, The Woodland Trust, Friends of the Earth, Conservative leader of Northumberland County Council Peter Jackson, Labour MEP for North-East England Paul Brannen and Egger, the largest private sector employer in the county. 

In his reply to Mr Goodall, Mr Rutley said: “I am pleased to learn of the level of support you have secured across the sector and I understand the level of enthusiasm to launch a FIZ there. We are keen to explore options for a FIZ in Northumberland.” 

The Minister recognises that the current focus of the Forestry Commission is on the first FIZ pilot in north Cumbria and learning lessons from that, but he goes on to say that he would “welcome Confor starting to work with land managers, landowners, the local community, and others, to develop proposals for a FIZ model in Northumberland”. 

“We have shared his positive response with all the signatories of the letter and will continue to move forward in a collaborative way on this important project, which we hope can deliver a step change in tree planting in north-east England,” said Stuart Goodall.

“We are keen to work with all partners, including the Forestry Commission, to secure local support for a FIZ. It is vital to have broad backing as we develop a specific proposition that can deliver benefits to Northumberland’s economy, environment and communities.”