Confor welcomes 'huge ambition' for forestry in Scotland

Confor has given a warm welcome to what Chief Executive Stuart Goodall called the "enormous ambition for forestry and timber" shown by the SNP administration. 

The new targets for woodland creation were revealed to the Scottish Parliament by Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham as part of the Scottish Government's Draft Climate Change plan. 

Currently, the target is to plant 10,000 hectares of new woodland every year - around 22 million trees. The new targets are: 

• 12,000 hectares of new woodland from 2020-21 (around 26.5 million trees);
• 14,000 hectares of new woodland from 2022-23 (just over 32 million trees);
• 15,000 hectares of new woodland from 2024-25 (about 33 million trees) 

 The Cabinet Secretary also revealed plans to increase the use of Scottish wood products in construction from its current level of 2.2 million cubic metres to 2.6 million cubic metres by 2021-22 and 3 million cubic metres by 2031-2. 

Mr Goodall said: "It is great to see such enormous ambition for forestry and timber displayed by the Scottish Government. 

"Fergus Ewing has made it clear that he is totally committed to meeting the 10,000 hectare target to super-charge Scotland's rural economy and he has introduced practical proposals to do that. This latest announcements by Roseanna Cunningham shows how forestry and timber can deliver rural jobs and play a major part in reducing carbon in the atmosphere. 

"Trees are natural carbon sinks and wood products store carbon. Confor has been stressing how enhanced planting can deliver for our economy and our environment for many years.  

"And let's not forget the role of modern forests in providing tremendous recreational opportunities for our communities through walking, wildlife-watching, cycling and more high-octane pursuits like mountain bike trails and Go Ape." 

Mr Goodall added: "I am delighted that the potential for the greater use of timber in construction has also been identified. Off-site timber construction can play an increasingly significant role in providing the tens of thousands of warm, high-quality and sustainable homes that Scotland needs." 

The Scottish Parliament will host a debate on how to deliver on its ambitions for forestry next Tuesday.