THERE was no fanfare, no one to read the news off parchment, and not even a press release. But forestry finally has a new minister. 

Given recent events – you know the ones we mean – and the fact there's every chance we could be without a prime minister by the time this newsletter arrives in your inbox, it's probably not surprising that Trudy Harrison's appointment last week passed by a little unnoticed. 

Forestry Journal: Ms Harrison replaces Zac Goldsmith in the role Ms Harrison replaces Zac Goldsmith in the role (Image: FJ)

An update on the government's website confirmed the latest ministerial portfolios, in which Ms Harrison took over the brief from the ousted Lord Goldsmith. That was it. Compared to some of the recent round-the-clock coverage of shenanigans in the UK, this amounted to little more than your mum telling you "she was off to Tescos (sic)".

Considering the alarming place forestry finds itself in – some may choose stronger words – such a key Defra appointment is surely worth a mention on its social media at the very least? 

In any case, the Copeland MP – the area's first-ever Conservative – is in place now and has a job to do. The good news is that early whispers suggest she could be much better suited to the role than Zac Goldsmith ever was. Industry insiders have reacted positively to the appointment. 

READ MORE: Letter from the editor, October 2022: Few will have shed a tear over the loss of George Eustice or Zac Goldsmith from Defra

With her constituency extending into the Lake District, at least there's a good chance she'll be familiar with trees. 

The question now is – will she be in place long enough to make a difference? 

This piece is an extract from today’s Forestry Features newsletter, which is emailed out at 4PM every Wednesday with a round-up of the week's top stories. 

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