Labour's Environment spokesperson, Elaine Murray, today called on Michael Russell to think again about proposals to lease 25 per cent of Scotland's forest estate to private firms.

Ms Murray said:

"Forestry Commission workers are anxious about what these proposals might mean and the Minister has yet to clarify how the SNP government will ensure that no jobs are lost. I am deeply concerned that staff transferred to private firms would only have their wages and conditions guaranteed for three years under TUPE when these leasing proposals would last for 75 years.

"The SNP government states that its proposals could bring in as much as £200m. But I want to know how the government has arrived at this figure and what revenues will be lost in terms of income from timber, leisure and tourism.

"Given the fact that timber prices have rapidly increased over the past year is it not the case that, under the proposed arrangements, the Minister would be wasting a valuable national asset?

"Furthermore, if access to the forest estate is restricted then the many recreational forest users including walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders will be deeply unhappy."

3 December 2008