Welcome for government support for forestry industry in Scotland

The forestry industry reacted positively yesterday to a move by the Scottish Government to increase grant support for commercial woodlands.

Hamish Robertson, head of CKD Galbraith's forestry department in Perth, described the financial incentive as a "very welcome boost for the forestry sector".

Environment and climate change minister Roseanna Cunningham confirmed the cash would be available for new applications relating to productive conifer and broadleaved plantations.

She said the move underlined the Scottish Government's commitment to forestry in general and was also intended to allay industry concerns that commercial forestry in Scotland was being neglected.

The Scottish Government is aiming to increase woodland plantings by 10,000 hectares a year as part of a long-term target to double the amount of land under trees in Scotland.

In making the announcement, the minister acknowledged that there had been a dip in plantings in recent years and the financial boost was designed to overcome landowners' reluctance to plant more trees.

Robertson pointed out that grants for creating new native woodland now amounted to 3,330 per ha over a five year period with up to 5.80/metre for deer fencing. "It is not surprising that many landowners are taking advantage of these attractive incentives."

He added that the announcement might counter concerns within the industry that not enough new conifer woodlands were being created, as timber shortages were being predicted.