Northern Ireland people want to see more trees grown in the province, a new survey has revealed.
But according to Farm Minister Jeff Rooker, public awareness of forestry-related issues and activities is relatively low, when compared to the rest of the UK.
Commenting on a survey on the Forest Service, Lord Rooker said: "Gaining insight into the public's perception of services is essential in enabling government to develop its future programme of service delivery to meet peoples' needs and expectations.
"The survey, which was developed in association with the Forestry Commission of Great Britain, shows there is public support for future afforestation in Northern Ireland for a wide variety of reasons.
"A significant number of people wish to see more forests within their local area and there is support that Forest Service remains the body responsible for the delivery of recreational access to public forests.
"The findings of the survey are key when placed in the context of the ongoing review of forestry policy, which is reaching its latter stages.
"Forest Service is consequently in a stronger position to understand the public's aspirations for forestry alongside the sustainable management of the public forest estate within future strategy."
The Northern Ireland survey used a representative sample of 1,000 adults and equivalent surveys have been conducted throughout the UK.
The survey can be viewed on the Forest Service website at www.forestserviceni.gov.uk.The Belfast Telegraph
