For sale: UK forests?

UK residents may be aware of an issue presently before parliament concerning the proposed privatisation of all or some English forests, a suggestion that 84% of people oppose. I don't currently have to time to offer a full analysis of this issue, but I think it is unwise for numerous reasons. A variety of arguments can be found here.

A critical vote has been scheduled for Wednesday. If you are a UK voter and think this is a bad idea, you can sign a petition which already has some 330,000 names here and from here it is easy to send a message to your local MP.

The logic of the market is all too often that of King Midas' touch. Things may turn into gold, but they die in the process.