Union warning on woodlands

The farmers’ union has taken its concerns over tree planting on productive farmland to the Scottish Government. Meeting with Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon, minister Màiri McAllan and senior officials from the government and Scottish Forestry, NFU Scotland (NFUS) leaders warned of the potential impact on food security and rural communities of losing highly productive agricultural land.

NFUS vice president Andrew Connon told officials that union members have been contacting him from all over Scotland with concerns over land previously used for farming being turned into forestry.

The union says it supports the integration of woodlands into farm businesses, but in recent months it has repeatedly warned that accelerating forestry growth has been fuelled by non-agricultural businesses purchasing land for planting to offset carbon emissions.

Mr Connon said: “We accept that land use is never a straight choice and integrated land use is a major part of reaching net zero targets. But optimal land use is the only route to multiple objectives that must include food production, climate change ambitions and biodiversity enhancement.

“As well as existing legal safeguards that preserve Scotland’s very limited ‘prime’ agricultural land, NFUS believes the time is right for a more robust approach to screening planting applications on ‘productive’ land.”

Mr Connon said he had also warned of the impact of widespread tree planting on rural communities.

“Loss of agricultural activity, and the families it sustains, also risks irreversible socioeconomic downturn in rural areas. Continuous agricultural land management is the best way to support communities, jobs and incomes,” he added.

“Every agricultural business should be in a position to consider viable and practical woodland creation options. However, that is completely different from wholescale farm plantings that take out not only good agricultural land but also the people who are the life and soul of the community.”

CONCERNS: The NFUS accepts the importance of tree planting, but warns a balance must be found.