SCOTGOV has begun a consultation on proposals to complete the devolution of Scotland's forestry sector.

Scottish Ministers currently determine strategy and policy for forestry in Scotland – but the management of forestry, including Scotland's National Forest Estate, has remained with the Forestry Commission, a cross-border public authority.

The ‘Future of Forestry’ consultation confirms the Scottish Government’s commitment to keep Scotland’s forests in public ownership and reveals its plan to create a new body, 'Forestry and Land Scotland', to focus on the management and development of the National Forest Estate.

Under the auspices of a dedicated ScotGov Forestry Division, which will take forward policy and regulation, this new management body would have the 'potential' to expand its remit to other publicly-owned land.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “The Scottish forestry sector is at the heart of many rural communities, worth £1 billion annually and supporting 25,000 jobs. It also plays a pivotal role in tackling climate change, protecting and growing biodiversity, natural flood management and in improving general health and wellbeing across Scotland.

“Today, we are launching a consultation on plans to complete the devolution of forestry. The consultation responses will inform and shape our policy, supporting forestry as one of our most important natural assets for generations to come and ensuring that it continues to deliver for the nation and communities across the country.”

Forestry trade organisation Confor described the consultation as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to secure the future of the £1 billion industry.

“While other sectors have struggled to recover from the 2008 downturn, Scotland’s forestry and wood processing industry has grown by 50% – and in addition to contributing £1bn a year to the economy, the sector employs over 25,000 people," said Confor chief executive Stuart Goodall.

“Scotland is the clear UK leader in forestry and there is now a once-in-a-generation opportunity to establish a support and regulatory structure that can build on and further strengthen that leadership position.”

The consultation paper can be read in full at: https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/forestry/future-of-forestry/