After the event, Caroline Ayre said: "The comments from Mr Eustice are very welcome - but we have to make sure that the words are followed by practical actions which make a difference. We need trees in the ground to follow the warm words - and if we do that, our rural economy and our environment both benefit very significantly.
"Land managers and farmers face real challenges, but for many, integrating woodland into their business offers a chance to diversify, make their business model more resilient - and help to fight climate change."
In its response to the inquiry into tree planting by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee, Confor outlines a series of practical actions designed to push up tree planting. These include:
- Co-operation across the four parts of the UK on planting targets, including a clear agreement who is responsible for planting what. This is currently not happening.
- A thorough review of rules and regulations for planting applications and approvals in England, similar to the 2016 review in Scotland, which was credited with a major increase in planting rates.
The man behind the Scotland review, James Mackinnon CBE, will talk about his review at the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Forestry and Tree Planting next week, alongside Caroline Ayre, the Forestry Commission and hardwood sawmiller Tom Barnes of Vastern Timber.
For more details, including a link to book a place, click here.
