New Forest Commoning Faces Bleak Future Without United Action Warns Expert

The New Forest’s traditions are in danger. Organizations must work together soon. Funding problems and visitors are harming the area. Andrew Parry-Norton says it is a “perfect storm.” Groups like Forestry England have funding shortages. This creates friction between Forest groups.

Andrew thinks the Forest needs big changes. He suggests radical changes like in the 1960s. We must find ways for visitors to enjoy the Forest and also support commoning. Without cooperation, the Forest’s future looks bad. People now see recreation as an entitlement; they don’t understand its working landscape.

Organizations face money problems now. More visitors seem like a money source, but ironically, the Forest’s stock suffers. Mr. Parry-Norton mentioned food sales at Forestry England car parks and understands their funding challenges. The government gives them only 10% of core funding.

He said the money shortage impacts the Forest. Commoners receive less for grazing cattle. Around 2,000 fewer animals grazed this year, which caused a £50,000 revenue loss. It affected registration fee income.

The National Park funding is “unsustainable.” The government listens but does nothing. The park needs funding for the future, although funding shortages create tension. Forestry England is trying to generate money; Mr. Parry-Norton says this hurts commoning.

Forestry England closed some bridges to horses. Commoners struggle to manage their animals because Forestry England says it lacks funds for bridges. Some bridges closed or are unsafe for horses.

He urges Forest groups to unite and stop fighting. Lobby for funds, he said, and work towards a shared goal for the New Forest. They must find a way to secure funding because time is running out, he admits. Animal numbers are down, and everyone is losing money.

We all love the Forest, he stated. Therefore, all should work together. The commoners’ subsidy is decreasing each year. The payment scheme ends completely in two years, but there is no replacement funding plan yet. This creates worries among New Forest commoners.

Commoning needs a financially viable future. He sees a “perfect storm” brewing because a suitable funding scheme is absent. This will cause the demise of the Basic Payment Scheme, and high land prices and cull cow prices are challenging. A beneficial scheme is needed that should reward all New Forest commoners.