MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee will hold a one-off evidence session on Wednesdy 11 March exploring how the UK can better protect its critical ancient woodlands.
Ancient woodlands are areas in England that have been continuously wooded since 1600. The areas are rich in biodiversity, being home to more threatened species than any other habitat, according to the Woodland Trust, and the soils and veteran trees they contain are important carbon stores.
In the 2025 Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) the Government set several new targets on woodlands, including to improve woodland biodiversity, commercial viability and to bring more private funds into woodland creation and restoration.
The MPs will explore the environmental benefits of these habitats, the threats facing them, and how they can best be managed. They will likely ask how Government policy can help to protect and sustain ancient woodlands, such as through planning protections and the new targets for woodland management in the revised EIP.
Witnesses appearing before the EAC on Wednesday 11 March at 14.30 onwards are as follows:
Panel one, from 14.30:
- Dr Keith Kirby, Visiting Researcher, Oxford University
- Katharine Flach, Biodiversity Data Officer, Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre
- Nick Philips, Principal Policy Advocate for forestry, Woodland Trust
Panel two, from 15.30:
- Andrew Weatherall, Fellow, Institute of Chartered Foresters
- Ian Tubby, Head of Forest Services Policy and Advice Team, Forestry Commission
- Steve Knight, Confor
Click here to watch the live evidence session on parliamentlive.tv or to catch up later.
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