Timber production will be a key focus of the latest strategy for the management and protection of the New Forest.

The New Forest Committee has drawn up the strategy after a year of research and consultation and the document will be released at a special launch event at Bolderwood in the forest on June 19.

Broadly, the new approach is intended to encourage involvement in forestry among local farmers and landowners and to secure “a healthy and sustainable future” for the New Forest area overall.

To achieve this, one of the proposals is to provide farmers and landowners with advice on farm business, the environment and diversification. The aim is also to “create better links between landowners and local timber merchants, craftsmen, manufacturers and retail outlets”.

The strategy further recommends the promotion of local farm and timber products and collaboration beween stakeholders, like farmers and timber companies, in production, processing and marketing.