Forestry leaders warn against Scottish Government 'super agency' merger

Glen Tanar Estate spans 25,000 acres of ancient Caledonian pine forests.

Scotland’s forestry sector has united in opposition to proposals to merge Scotland’s forestry agency, warning that the move could weaken specialist expertise and jeopardise ministers’ ambitions for woodland creation.

Eight organisations representing foresters, conservationists, woodland interests and public sector workers have signed an open letter urging ministers to rule out Scottish Forestry’s inclusion in a proposed “single overarching environmental body”.

The intervention comes amid concerns that the creation of a new environmental “super agency” could see the abolition of the dedicated forestry organisation, which oversees the development and management of forests and woodlands across Scotland.

The signatories argue that forestry is a specialist discipline and that jobs in the sector contribute to economic and environmental ambitions, including timber production and native woodland restoration.

In their letter, they say: “None of these priorities would be addressed by abolishing a dedicated forestry agency.”

The letter calls on the cabinet secretary for rural affairs Gillian Martin and agriculture minister Jim Fairlie to remove Scottish Forestry from the scope of the proposed reforms and engage with sector leaders before making any changes.

The potential super agency would also involve merging NatureScot, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Forestry and Land Scotland and Zero Waste Scotland.

David Henderson-Howat, chairman of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society, said the plans were likely to result in poorer outcomes for the industry and those who depend on the agency.

“Quite simply, this proposal is likely to lead to worse outcomes for the forestry sector and a poorer service for those who rely on Scottish Forestry,” he said.

The concerns extend beyond the loss of a dedicated organisation to the potential consequences for Scotland’s plans to expand its woodland cover.

Malcolm Crosby, of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), said the government risked repeating mistakes made in Wales, where a similar reorganisation took place in 2013.

The letter has also drawn support from conservation groups, which argue that restructuring environmental bodies on such a scale could distract from the urgent work required to address climate change and biodiversity loss.

Jenny Hawley, Plantlife’s policy and advocacy manager, said a merger would risk diverting attention and resources at a critical time.

Simon Ritchie, Woodland Trust Scotland’s policy and advocacy manager, said opposition to the proposed merger had grown as more organisations and professionals had considered its implications.

He argued that ministers should exclude Scottish Forestry from the plans so that the sector could concentrate on expanding woodland, which he described as vital to Scotland’s ambitions.

The open letter is backed by eight organisations including the Institute of Chartered Foresters, the Native Woods Cooperative, the Forest Policy Group, the Nature Foundation and the PCS union.

The Scottish Government defended the broader principle of bringing some environmental organisations together, arguing that a single body could make public services more effective and create a more joined-up approach.

She said the reforms would need to build on the strengths of existing organisations, preserve their distinctive functions and improve the experience of the public and those who work with them.

“The passion, professionalism and considerable expertise of the staff at each of these organisations will be critical to the success of this change,” she said, adding that ministers would work with the organisations, trade unions and other stakeholders as they designed the new body, including through a period of consultation.

However, Ms Martin stressed that no decision had yet been taken on whether Scottish Forestry would be included.

She also acknowledged recent discussions with Confor, the Institute of Chartered Foresters and Woodland Trust Scotland about the potential consequences of such a move, saying she looked forward to continuing to work with them and other partners.