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<p>The international importance of temperate rainforests (also termed Atlantic woodland)
in supporting rare and threatened species has been recognised in domestic biodiversity
policy for many decades. Many temperate rainforests are protected by existing policy.
Many are ancient woodlands, which are protected from development in all but wholly
exceptional circumstances. We have also committed in the England Trees Action Plan
to increase protections in the planning system for long established woodland in situ
since 1840. Many of our temperate rainforests support rich assemblages of species
and are in our series of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). SSSI selection
guidelines for woodlands are focused on securing a representative series rather than
protecting every example.</p><p> </p><p>This government has made a world-leading commitment
to halt the decline in nature by 2030, which will rely on the restoration and creation
of habitats across the country. This will be supported by funding from the Nature
for Climate Fund, future farming schemes including Landscape Recovery, and new funds
such as the Big Nature Impact Fund. We will consider, while designing and rolling
out these schemes, how they might support the protection and restoration of certain
types of woodlands including ‘temperate rainforest’. We also provide financial support
to the buffering and expansion of valuable woodlands such as temperate rainforests
through the England Woodland Creation Offer, and funding for the improvement and restoration
of temperate rainforest sites through the Regional Restoration Funds.</p><p> </p><p>We
are currently working on the revision of the 25 Year Environment Plan, the next Environmental
Improvement Plan, due January 2023. This is the overarching strategy for the environment,
as set out in the Environment Act, and where relevant we will consider the role of
temperate rainforest in helping to meet our substantial environmental commitments.</p><p>
</p><p>Forestry policy is devolved, so the protection and restoration of temperate
rainforests outside England is a matter for the devolved authorities.</p>
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