NFA Presentment for the Verderers Court 20th July 2016
However we feel about the Brexit referendum, its aftermath has introduced a vast array of uncertainty, including many elements key to the future of the Forest.
At last Thursday’s National Park Authority meeting, several members stressed the need to express our concerns about keeping the Forest's levels of protection, investment and subsidy to government as soon as possible. The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and the Environment Secretary will be contacted. The NFA offer our support and input, and hope that the Verderers will join this effort.
There will be much to consider: commoners subsidies past 2020; retention of the important landscape scale habitat designations of the SAC and SPA (Special Areas of Conservation / Special Protection Areas); what we may want from a new British Agricultural Policy, together with reformed Habitats and Birds Directives. New legislation may be necessary to back-stop these protections before the ties to the EU directives might be cut. There's every reason for having the same levels of protection – or better – enshrined directly in United Kingdom law, policy and implementation.
The New Forest Acts and the role of the Verderers remain the bedrock safeguarding the Forest, and our National Park has unique qualities and demands. This must be recognized and respected at the highest levels going forward.
There will be clarifications needed. There is work to be done, and a timely and united forest would help put our vital points across.
| Presentment made at the Verderers Court by Brian Tarnoff, Chair, NFA Habitat and Landscape Committee. |
