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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she has taken to prevent the illegal felling of trees; and how many restocking notices have been issued by the Forestry Commission in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

The Forestry Commission seeks to prevent illegal felling through guidance, engagement with industry and local authorities, and the use of satellite imagery and intelligence to identify risks and promote compliance. Reports of suspected unlawful felling are assessed and prioritised based on risk, with enforcement action which can include the use of restocking notices and prosecution, used to deter future offences.