MPs are set to debate an opposition motion next Wednesday (February 2) calling on the government to halt its plans to sell off England's forests to the private sector.

Everybody knows what that means – woods will be fenced off, access denied, and the wildlife and flora that depends on the forests for its habitat will suffer.

It won't be any good for the timber industry either. The Forestry Commission harvests its timber on a sustainable basis, so stabilising the UK timber market and enabling the Commission to keep down its own costs.

Nor will the private sector have the resources to do the research that the Commission currently carries out in areas like tree diseases and wood growth.

And all this to save a cost to the taxpayer of less than 31 pence a head!

It doesn't have to be like this. On behalf of the forest professionals who care for the nation's woodlands, Prospect is asking you to contact your MP and to get them to vote against this foolish and damaging measure.

Meanwhile thousands of campaigners have chipped in to get Save Our Forests ads in the papers on the day of the vote - £20,000 was raised in six hours by 38 Degrees, the umbrella campaign group hosting the petition against sell-off.

Yesterday the government launched its consultation on the future of the forestry estate. Critics including Prospect have expressed concerns that the option to keep the status quo is not included in this consultation. Furthermore, moves are already underway via the Public Bodies Bill to sell off the forestry estate, even before the consultation has been completed.