The Woodland Trust said the planting also had the unexpected benefit of reducing water run-off from grassland in heavy rain, and led to research and important new evidence of the role trees can play in flood control.
The Commission has its allies - mainly those countries from Eastern and Central Europe, led by Poland, which benefit from the EU funds to help poorer regions.
The bishops - known as "Lords Spiritual" - courted controversy recently when one of them led opposition to plans to include child benefit in a cap on welfare payments to families.