SCOTGOV has set out further details on how it will manage and administer its forestry responsibilities following the completion of devolution of forestry.

Releasing this latest statement, before stage three of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “It explains why a dedicated forestry division (Scottish Forestry) and agency (Forestry and Land Scotland) is the best way to deliver our ambitions to increase the positive economic, social and environmental benefits of forestry for Scotland and sets out our intention to build on the skills and expertise of Forestry Commission Scotland and Forest Enterprise Scotland staff when they transfer to the Scottish Government.

"The new legal framework and administrative arrangements being put in place will support forestry in Scotland for years ahead and give forestry its rightful place at the heart of government, while retaining essential aspects of the current arrangements – such as the financial flexibility that allows the agency to trade and build reserves," he said.

“Over the coming year, leading up to the changeover in April 2019, I will continue to engage with staff and their trades unions to ensure that the transition is smooth – to that end I have already committed to there being no compulsory redundancies as a result of the transfer and that we will maintain the local office network.”

The statement is available at www.gov.scot/forestry.