SRDP John Risby Forestry Commission Scotland

SRDP Headline Messages (March 2012) £131m approved forestry activity – £102m Woodland Creation (78%) – £29m Woodland Management (22%) Woodland Creation –21,266 ha approved (average cost £4650/ha) –71% Native Woodland (average cost £4913/ha) Sustainable Management of Forests –Restructuring Felling (54% of approved funding) –Native Woodlands (25% of approved funding) Woodland Improvement Grants –Significant area under Forest Plans ( 222,262 ha) –Even distribution of approved spending across types

SRDP Woodland creation. Summary of approved and pipeline

SRDP Forestry Working Group 2014 One of 8 working groups Consider draft EU Regulations for new programme Challenge to maintain momentum during expected gap between this SRDP and next Worry over income foregone payments

SRDP Forestry proposals –Evolution- continue with woodland creation & woodland management –Balance in planting type (71%native) –Simpler support for restocking and challenge funds –Agro-forestry option –Simpler delivery and easier for applicants

SRDP SRDP Timetable April 2012 – Aug 2012Working Groups Sept 2012 – March 2013 Collate WG feedback Apr – June 2013Consultation July – Sept 2013Finalise SRDP Oct-Dec 2013EC approval 2014Introduce SRDP

SRDP Consider the following changes Woodland Creation Options –Update operational inputs and Standard cost (remove tree shelters and fund as separate standard cost) –Reduce difference between PC and native –Split native into 3 or 4 options reflecting woodland type –Revisit natural regeneration –Introduce agro-forestry option

SRDP Consider the following changes Woodland Management –Simplify restructuring. WIG payment only –Higher SMF grants for designated sites, priority species etc –Bring squirrel control and pruning/thinning into forestry pot –Revisit Rhodo control

SRDP Affordability Woodland Expansion Advisory Group Recommendations