Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved.
Institute News
This month our policy work is focussed on two major Defra consultations, on environmental targets and nature recovery, as well as varied work with the sector and ICF representatives.
Nature Recovery
Work on the Nature Recovery Green Paper response, which puts forward significant changes to forestry regulation, has included convening a cross-sector group, with Confor, Woodland Trust, CLA, National Trust, Small Woods Association and others contributing. We discussed Environmental Impact Assessments, proposals to bring all environmental regulation into a single body, and much more.
For a quick look at the key points and proposals read this blog and contact Jemima with your thoughts to shape the Institute response.
Environmental Targets
The woodland creation target proposed under environmental targets is expressed as a percentage of land mass – 17.5% by 2050, up from the current 14.5%. This includes trees outside woodlands and will be measured using the National Forest Inventory and remote sensing. The consultation asks whether the target should include short rotation forestry and whether the proposed level of ambition is appropriate – our focus is on the barriers to achieving it, crucially the skills crisis. Please send us your thoughts.
FAT Group and Land Use
We held the second meeting of the Forestry Agricultural Transition (FAT) group, this time helping Defra develop an agroforestry standard for the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Local Nature Recovery components of Environmental Land Management. We also submitted evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on Land Use – read our response.
Scottish Forestry
Andrew Vaughan FICFor, our rep on Scottish Forestry’s Customer Representative Group, reports back on a huge amount of activity in the group. The last meeting covered conservancy recruitment, updates on the Forestry Grant Scheme and Phytophthora pluvialis, discussion of earned recognition and improvements to deer management grants, plans to decarbonise the sector and dealing with storm damage. Look out for the next edition of TREES for a full update.
Accelerating Woodland Creation
Finally, the Accelerating Woodland Creation and Management conference was an interesting day, with a range of ICF members contributing including Shireen chairing a panel discussion on how to balance different purposes for woodland in the landscape
Sector News
Grants, Regulations & Guidance
Scotland
- Small woodland loan scheme – view
- Free advice and support to crofters – view
- Grants for native woodlands – view
Wales
- Welsh Government funding for rural economy and natural environment including grants for woodland creation and restoration – view
- Summer 2022 due to start phase two of co-designing new sustainable farming scheme – view
England
- Tree production capital grant – view
- Forestry Commission grants and regulations newsletter with new requirement for tree health assessment – view
- Q&A on ELM Landscape Recovery Scheme – view
Plant Health
- Summary of responses to the Plant Biosecurity strategy consultation – view
- New pilot launched to strengthen UK biosecurity – view
- Forestry Commission tree health news – view
- Additional measures to stop the spread of Phytophthora pluvialis – view
Other
