(1)The Forestry Commissioners constituted under the Forestry Acts 1919 to 1945 shall continue in existence and are in this Act referred to as “the Commissioners”.
(2)The Commissioners shall be charged with the general duty of promoting the interests of forestry, the development of afforestation and the production and supply of timber and other forest products [F1in Scotland, and in England and Wales] and in that behalf shall have the powers and duties conferred or imposed on them by this Act.
(3)The Commissioners’ general duty includes that of promoting the establishment and maintenance [F1in Scotland, and in England and Wales] of adequate reserves of growing trees.
[F2(3A)In discharging their functions under the Forestry Acts 1967 to 1979 the Commissioners shall, so far as may be consistent with the proper discharge of those functions, endeavour to achieve a reasonable balance between—
(a)the development of afforestation, the management of forests and the production and supply of timber, and
(b)the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty and the conservation of flora, fauna and geological or physiographical features of special interest.]
(4)The Commissioners shall, in exercising their functions under this Act, and also in exercising their powers under the M1Plant Health Act 1967 (which enables them to make orders for the control of timber pests and diseases), comply with such directions as may be given to them by
[F3(a)the Ministers in relation to the exercise of their functions as regards England and Wales; and
(b)the Scottish Ministers in relation to the exercise of their functions as regards Scotland.]
(5)Directions given by the Ministers for purposes of the foregoing subsection shall be given by them jointly, except in so far as they make arrangements that this subsection shall not apply.
[F4(6)The power of the Ministers and of the Scottish Ministers to give directions for the purposes of subsection (4) above shall be exercisable as regards Great Britain by the Ministers and the Scottish Ministers acting jointly.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 1(2)(3) substituted (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1747, art. 3, Sch. 12 Pt. II para. 4(2)
F2S. 1(3A) added by Wildlife and Countryside (Amendment) Act 1985 (c. 31, SIF 4), s. 4
F3S. 1(4)(a)(b) substituted (1.7.1999) for words “the Ministers” by S.I. 1999/1747, art. 3, Sch. 12 Pt. II para. 4(3)
F4S. 1(6) added (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1747, art. 3, Sch. 12 Pt. II para. 4(4)
Marginal Citations