Scottish Forestry - corporate plan: consultation analysis

Strategic Objective 1

Questions: To what extent do you agree with Strategic Objective 1 as a priority for our work over the next three years?

Strategic Objective 1: Ensure that sustainable forest management is an integral part of public policy, particularly through leading and co-ordinating the delivery of Scotland’s Forestry Strategy.

General comments

80% of the respondents who answered the tick box question said they agreed with Outcome 1, either strongly or slightly. There was feedback on a number of themes, outlined below.

• Partnership and Engagement: The main area of feedback was in relation to the importance of partnership work and continued engagement at a local and national level to achieve this objective. Respondents suggested this must include representation from those working in the environmental field including various marine and river organisations; outdoor sports and recreation; the broader forestry sector ranging from NGOs (such as Trees for Life and Woodland Trust); national partners such as FLS; private estates; and cultural and historical environment interests. It was also noted that engagement with communities must be undertaken to ensure productive forestry becomes a recognised and valued activity.
• Broader themes: Again, there was feedback that the broader themes of land use; biodiversity and the impact of forestry on wider eco systems such as water courses; social forestry and work with communities; and the connection between the outdoor recreation and good physical and mental health must be taken into account in the work that Scottish Forestry undertakes. To address the broader themes, it was suggested that Scottish Forestry could consider producing topic based themes alongside stakeholders, such as a Biodiversity Strategy.
• Reference to Strategic Documents: Reference to be made with to the Land Use Strategy, National Ecological Network and National Planning Framework 3. Links should also be made with other plans, such as the Forestry and Wood Processing Sector Plan.
• Sustainable Forest Management: It was felt this needs to be clearly referenced and defined in the Corporate Plan, and must apply to both new and existing woodlands. There should be reference made to Scottish Ministers’ commitment to SFM and Scottish Forestry needs to review and enhance UKFS.
• Performance Management Framework: There were different suggestions for our PMF, including the application and compliance of UKFS; increase in % of woodland in good condition for biodiversity; Biodiversity Net Gain; and link to Monitor Wood Scheme.
• Specific activities to be taken forward: A range of activities were suggested that should be taken forward, including ensuring funding mechanisms recognise the importance of environment improvement and restoration; review WIAT grants; regional guidance on how to determine ‘the right tree in the right place’; sustainable transport infrastructure; and encourage tree canopy cover in urban areas.
• Scotland’s Forestry Strategy Implementation Plan: It was noted that this has not yet been published and yet will determine the activities in relation to this objective.
• Specific content and wording of document: Some suggestions were made to specific content/wording. It was felt a number of SD goals were missing (8, 9, 10, 11, 16 and 17). refer to climate ‘emergency’; and rewording was suggested as it is cumbersome and lacks clarity.