Planting targets not getting met as forestry budget falls

FALLING Forestry Commission budgets will be one of the key areas of scrutiny for the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee in advance of the Scottish Government’s publishing of its draft budget for 2017-18.

Forestry is an important industry for Kintyre – timber cargos are the main source of income for the harbours at Campbeltown and Ardrishaig, along with road haulage.

The convener of the committee, Edward Mountain MSP, is calling for people in the industry to give evidence to the committee.

He said: ‘The Forestry Commission’s budget has been falling in recent years, and planting targets are not being met.

‘This has the potential to impact seriously on Scotland’s carbon reduction targets. The committee wants to know what steps should be taken to address this situation, and whether the Scottish Government’s investment levels are sufficient to meet its objectives.’

The committee would be interested to hear views from individuals and organisations on sales and acquisition of Forestry Commission Scotland assets, planting targets and whether there is funding and incentives available to meet them, the challenges from pests and diseases in the face of climate change, and what funds are being directed towards addressing these challenges.

Opinions

The committee also wants to hear opinions from the forestry industry on the potential impact of Brexit in relation to SRDP funds from the EU.

The committee will hear evidence on forestry on November 23 at the Scottish Parliament from a range of organisations, including the Forestry Commission Scotland, and the Community Woodlands Association.

The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee’s report on the Scottish Government’s draft budget will be published in January.