NEW CROSS-BORDER forestry arrangements for forestry policy have been revealed.

During stage one discussion of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy Fergus Ewing said: “The Scottish, UK and Welsh governments have agreed to share responsibilities for some aspects of forestry which require co-ordination and co-operation across boundaries.

“Under new cross-border collaborative arrangements, the Scottish Government will take the lead on the UK Forestry Standard, the Woodland Carbon Code and forestry economics, on behalf of all three administrations.

“We are committed to maintaining continuity of delivery as we move from the existing arrangements to the new ones," said Mr Ewing. "Delivery will be underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding, which will include details on shared governance and funding.”

Areas which require cross-border collaboration include the commissioning and delivery of forestry research and science, protection of trees from pests and diseases and agreement on codes and standards for the sustainable management of our forests. The new delivery arrangements will be in place by April 2019.

The Forest Research agency, which provides expertise in forestry science, statistics and inventory, will remain intact.