Question reference: S6W-26187
- Date lodged: 14 March 2024
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 20 March 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recently published inquiry into public financial support for tree planting and forestry, launched by the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Answer
The report makes a number of useful contributions, which Scottish Forestry is considering. A number of the recommendations made are already in place, including changes to sustainability standards increasing the required proportion of tree species diversity, tougher measures to protect soils during tree planting, and supporting an increase in woodlands by rivers across Scotland.
Public forestry grants are vital and a well-established means used across the UK to stimulate woodland creation, supporting Scottish sector worth over £1bn annually and 25,000 jobs. The Scottish Government is clear that Scotland needs to plant a mixture of both productive as well as native species if we are to tackle climate change, nature loss and a growing demand for timber.