Member

With regard to biodiversity targets, the balancing duty in the Forestry Act 1967 requires forestry authorities to endeavour to achieve a reasonable balance between forestry matters and the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty, and the conservation of flora, fauna, geological or physiographical features of special interest. The Forestry Commission also has responsibilities to consider and act to improve the environment via the biodiversity duty under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, as strengthened by the Environment Act. This requires public authorities, including the Forestry Commission, to consider and take action to further the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity. In doing so, they must have regard to the relevant local nature recovery strategy, as well as to any relevant species conservation strategy or protected site strategy prepared by Natural England.