Responding to public consultations is an important way to influence policy. We consult with members as much as possible and often work in partnership with other organisations to strengthen our messages. We also produce papers on specific topics where it is important to publish our position.
Current
Draft Climate Change Plan
Scottish Government
Deadline: 29 January 2026
This draft Climate Change Plan includes the policies and proposals that Scotland needs to end its contribution to increasing global emissions and deliver real benefits for people across Scotland – warmer homes, better air quality, and the health benefits of active travel – to support people in communities to live longer, healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Please respond online by 29 January 2026.
Proposed UKWAS 4.10.1 Amendment (game release pens)
UKWAS
Deadline: 16 February 2026
Stakeholders can now make comment on a proposed amendment to UKWAS 5 requirements for game-release pens. Following stakeholder concerns, the UKWAS steering group had charged its revision working group with the task of reviewing and, if thought fit, amending requirement 4.10.1.
Please submit comments to ukwas@ukwas.org.uk by 16 February 2026.
Common biomass sustainability framework
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Deadline: 27 February 2026
This consultation is seeking views on the development of a common biomass sustainability framework, which includes proposals for strengthening existing biomass sustainability criteria in line with latest evidence as well as improvements to current monitoring, reporting and verification practices, and sets out guiding principles for addressing non-compliance. It aims to provide a consistent view on biomass sustainability across all relevant bioenergy sectors.
We will be submitting a response and seek members input. Please send comments to our Technical Policy Manager, Caroline Harrison MICFor, by 6 February. Please also respond online by 27 February 2026.
National Planning Policy Framework: proposed reforms and other changes to the planning system
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Deadline: 10 March 2026
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is seeking views on how they might revise national planning policy to support wider objectives. This consultation invites views on significant structural improvements to the Framework, so that for the first time there is a clear set of separate policies for both plan-making and decision-making.
We will be submitting a response and seek members input. Please send comments to our Technical Policy Manager, Caroline Harrison MICFor, by 20 February. Please also respond online by 10 March 2026.
Consultation on the setting of Northern Ireland’s Fourth Carbon Budget (2038-2042) – Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, November 2025
Scotland’s Fourth Land Use Strategy: Consultation – Scottish Government, October 2025
Public Consultation on Northern Ireland’s draft Climate Action Plan 2023-2027 – DAERA, October 2025
Planning Obligations and Good Neighbour Agreements: Draft Guidance – Scottish Government, September 2025
Expanding the Role of the Private Sector in Nature Recovery – Defra, August 2025
Land Use Framework Consultation – Defra, April 2025
Timber Industrial Strategy – Wales – Welsh Government, April 2025
A Biodiversity Metric for Scotland’s Planning System: Key Issues Consultation – NatureScot, May 2024
Careers Education, Skills, Training and Development for Agricultural, Horticultural and Forestry Workers: Call for Evidence – Welsh Government, April 2024
Sustainable Farming Scheme – Welsh Government, March 2024
Net Zero Sector Skills – Welsh Government, December 2023
Tackling the Nature Emergency: Consultation on Scotland’s Strategic Framework for Biodiversity – Scottish Government, December 2023
Section 115 of The Environment Act 2021 The Duty to Consult on the Felling of Street Trees – Defra, November 2023
Changes to the Forestry (felling of trees) Regulations 1979 – Welsh Government, September 2023
Management of Existing UK Woodlands: An Opportunity for Green Prosperity – Institute of Chartered Foresters & CIEEM, August 2023
Environmental Outcomes Report – Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, June 2023
Read our industry response with the Environmental Policy Forum>>
Future Grant Support for Forestry – Scottish Forestry, May 2023
Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill – Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, March 2023
Read our industry response with the Environmental Policy Forum>>
Regulatory Fees and Charges for 2023/2024 – Natural Resources Wales, January 2023
UK Forestry Standard: Draft Updated Content – Scottish Forestry, December 2022
RICS Standard – Valuation of Woodlands – Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, November 2022
Agriculture (Wales) Bill – Welsh Government, November 2022
Forestry Act revisions – Developments and additional information>>
Read the Committee Stage 1 Report (January 2023)>>
Sustainable Timber and Deforestation – Environmental Audit Committee, September 2022
Environment Act 2021: Environmental Targets – Defra, June 2022
Nature Recovery Green Paper – Defra, May 2022
Select Committee on Land Use in England – House of Lords, April 2022
Biodiversity Net Gain Regulations and Implementation – Defra, April 2022
Consultation on Future Agricultural Policy Proposals for Northern Ireland – DAERA, February 2022
GB Plant Biosecurity Strategy Consultation – GB Governments, November 2021
UKWAS 5 Second Revision Draft Consultation – UKWAS, November 2021
Forestry skills crisis Institute position paper – Institute of Chartered Foresters, October 2021
UKFS Review key stakeholder consultation – UKFS, September 2021
Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy – DAERA, September 2021
Delivering Economic Transformation – Scottish Government, August 2021
Agriculture (Wales) White Paper – Welsh Government, March 2021
National Planning Policy Framework – MHCLG, March 2021
Read our response>>
Scotland’s Third Land Use Strategy – Scottish Government, January 2021
Inquiry on Environmental Land Management and Agricultural Transition – Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs Committee, January 2021
Inquiry on Tree Planting and Woodlands – Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs Committee, November 2020
Planning White Paper – MHCLG, October 2020
Sustainable Farming and our Land – Welsh Government, October 2020
England Tree Strategy – Defra, September 2020
Environmental Land Management Scheme – Defra, July 2020
Read our forestry sector response with Confor, Royal Forestry Society and Woodland Trust>>
Scotland’s Forestry Strategy – Forestry and Land Scotland, July 2019
Environmental Land Management Scheme – Defra, July 2019
Read our forestry sector position paper with Confor, the Woodland Trust and Royal Forestry Society>>
Protecting and Enhancing England’s Trees and Woodlands – Defra, February 2019
T Levels, Department for Education and Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, January 2019