Questions and Answers

More about the Red Band Needle Blight!
see - Newborough News September 2009 Issue 1

Forestry Commission Wales have been monitoring an outbreak of 'Red Band Needle Blight' in Newborough which if left unchecked, could devastate large swathes of the forest. Red band needle blight is caused by a fungus which attacks pine trees & turns their needles pretty red colours. This disease affects the growth rate of the trees & in severe cases it can kill the infected tree. What started as a small outbreak near the Maltraeth entrance has over the past two years spread through a much wider area of the forest.

FCW claim that without remedial action, there is a chance that the whole forest could be lost, although this is very unlikely because it is only in severe cases that the trees are killed. Management of this disease will involve thinning trees to reduce humidity levels, and to allow free movement of air, while retaining corridors of connectivity to allow red squirrels to move freely. Discussions are currently taking place to determine areas where work can be carried out without having any detrimental effect on the squirrels. 

It is fully understood by most of us that the forest cannot remain without removal of trees that have reached their optimum height and age. It is important that we thin in Newborough to achieve the kind of forest that we all want to see. If we dont intervene the trees will eventually die through old age or disease such as Red Band Needle Blight.

This disease will also reduce the available food supply for the Red Squirrels, & the thinning will reduce the available food supply even further. It would seem sensible to put any further clearfelling plans on hold at least until it becomes clear how serious this problem is at Newborough, because the additional tree fatalities could make nonsense of any Forest Design Plan.

Who are the CCW & FCW?

The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) is the national wildlife conservation authority and the Government's statutory adviser on sustaining natural beauty, wildlife and the opportunity for outdoor enjoyment in Wales and its inshore waters. They are acting as conservation advisors to the Forestry Commission.

Forestry Commission Wales (FCW) is the Government department responsible for forestry policy and looks after the 320,000 acres (130,000 ha) of public forests owned by the Welsh Assembly Government. FCW manages Newborough Forest on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government. FCW also has a responsibility to help manage the dune and saltmarsh SAC.

Who owns the Forest & the Warren?

The forest is part of the 'Assembly government woodland estate' so is owned by Welsh Assembly Government - in other words it is part of the national woodland estate and therefore held in trust by the Assembly on behalf of the People of Wales. To put it simply, it is YOUR forest (see - Newborough News). It does NOT belong to either the CCW or FCW.

About 30% of the Warren is owned directly by CCW, and the rest is leased to CCW by several landowners. These leases generally include conditions defining the purpose of the lease and constraints on development.

What is the EU Habitats Directive ?

The WAG, FCW & CCW claim that they are explicitly committed to following the EU Habitats Directive requirements, in particular Article 2 which states that: 

• ‘The aim of this Directive shall be to contribute towards ensuring biodiversity through the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora in the European territory of the Member States to which the Treaty applies. 

• Measures taken pursuant to this Directive shall be designed to maintain or restore, at favourable conservation status, natural habitats and species of wild fauna and flora of Community interest. 

• Measures taken pursuant to this Directive shall take account of economic, social and cultural requirements and regional and local characteristics.’ 

With reference to the third paragraph it currently seems that the wishes of forest visitors & the interests of the Anglesey tourism industry are being ignored. Yet the Habitats Directive explicitly states that these matters must be taken into account.

The 'Newborough Forest Protection Group' have recently canvased many thousands of forest visitors & there is almost total opposition to the CCW recommendations, see - 'What People Think'. In the case of Newborough forest, peoples opinions should be of paramount importance, especially as this forest is owned by the Assembly on behalf of the 'People of Wales'.

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