Consultation on The Future of Forestry in Scotland Stuart Goodall 26 October 2016

Background Across GB, the FC has been breaking apart for years; The GB element is now collapsing – needs political agreement to fully separate out; Consultation sets out Scottish Government’s proposals for FC in Scotland; Title of consultation implies all of sector, but just FC.

Overall perspective Confor recognises need to act and establish a fully devolved arrangement that can work with a successful Scottish forestry + timber sector. Confor supports establishing a well-resourced, professional and effective forest service and a management agency for the national forest that can work with the private sector to deliver further economic, environmental and social benefits for Scotland.

Three elements to proposal New organisational arrangements to make forestry fully accountable to ministers and Parliament; To provide for effective cross-border co-operation in areas such as research, plant health and UKFS; To put in place new legislation for forestry for the 21st Century.

Organisation – Forest Service FC Scotland is part of the SG’s Environment and Forestry Directorate (EFD), but is not subject to SG policies and practices; Proposal aims for full accountability to ministers and Parliament by removing role of Commissioners and formalising the current arrangement with FC Scotland becoming a dedicated Forestry Division within EFD.

Environment + Forestry Dept Environment + Forestry Dept Present Arrangement Proposed Arrangement Parliament/ Ministers Parliament/ Ministers Environment + Forestry Dept Environment + Forestry Dept Forestry Commissioners Forestry Division Forestry and Land Scotland Forestry Commission Scotland

Organisation – Forest Service Confor has supported retaining a well-resourced and professional service with a clear role and remit to support the forestry sector; However, by being a division it can better influence wider SG policy and be more clearly accountable to deliver SG commitments, especially on planting and restocking.

Operation of Forest Service Confor wants recognised professional forestry staff supporting and regulating the sector in accordance with UKFS; Provide for an interchange of forestry division staff both with the agency and wider SG; A similar, if not more influential, group to the current Customer Representative Group to provide external input.

Organisation – Forest Estate FE Scotland is to become an agency, but with wider remit – “Forestry and Land Scotland”; Provide flexibility to use NFE land for a variety of purposes, not just forestry; No plans to retain non-executive oversight.

Organisation – Forest Estate Confor will seek a clear guarantee that future wood supply from the NFE will be guaranteed at least at current levels; Confor is open-minded to discussion about how NFE can play a wider role, but vital no action is taken that undermines productive capacity;  Confor believes management agency would benefit from non-executive oversight.

Cross-border arrangements Proposal picks up much of Confor’s previous work in this area; Confor has challenged SG to take a lead in key areas, incl standards and international policy, and for industry to have a role in research; SG proposal highlights 3 areas: Forestry science and research; Tree health; Common codes: UKFS + Woodland Carbon Code.

Cross-border arrangements Confor supports cross border co-operation and also proposes continued co-operation on inventory, economics and statistics; Confor would suggest SG seeks to take a UK lead on international policy, UKFS, inventory, economics and statistics; Confor propose Forest Research’s status be changed, eg company limited by guarantee and sector, through Confor, having a share.

Legislation and regulation Legislation required to provide for new Scotland-based arrangements; SG proposes to repeal 1967 Act and put in place a dedicated framework of regulation; Could include general duty to promote forestry – Confor supports including duty for SFM; Also duty for felling in accordance with good practice and restocking following felling – Confor support presumption against deforestation and seek to protect natural capital.

Vital that members reply themselves reiterating the same key points! What next? Confor presenting draft response to members and wider industry at regional meetings; Sharing it with partners in sector and beyond; Meeting with key MSPs and officials; Will prepare final response and share it with members. Vital that members reply themselves reiterating the same key points!

THANK YOU! www.confor.org.uk