Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the progress made in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on meeting the 2011 Bonn Challenge; and if he will make a statement.

Forestry is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

Although not formally signed up to the Bonn challenge, we share its aims and are fully committed to woodland creation and restoration. Our 25 Year environment Plan has a goal of increasing tree cover in England from 10% to 12% by 2060. Recently we have funded £5.7 million to kick start the Northern Forest, announced a £10 million Woodland Carbon Guarantee fund, and launched a £10m fund for new trees in our towns and cities through the urban trees challenge fund. Since 1995 we have supported the National Forest Company in establishing woodlands to restore large areas of industrially impacted land in central England.