Consultation launched on a new Forestry Strategy for Scotland
20 September 2018
A public consultation on a Forestry Strategy for Scotland was opened today. It closes on 29 November and responses will be used to inform the content and structure of the final strategy.
The draft strategy for consultation underpins the Scottish Government’s ambitions for forestry and has sustainable forest management at its core. It builds on and modernises the approach undertaken in previous forestry strategies, providing a 10-year framework for action to help achieve a 50-year vision for Scotland’s woodlands and forests.
Regulation of felling and restocking consultation launched
20 August 2018
A public consultation on the regulation of felling and restocking was opened today. It closes on Sunday 14 October.
The consultation sets out the proposals for exemptions to the requirement to have permission to fell and the processes for obtaining permission (including those for compensation and appeals). The new regime is being developed for the coming into force of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 on 1 April 2019.
Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill receives Royal Assent
1 May 2018
The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill received Royal Assent today; this is the formal process by which a Bill becomes an Act. The Forestry Act 1967 remains in force until the new Act is commenced, currently planned for 1 April 2019.
The new Act can be found at Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018.
Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill passed by Parliament
20 March 2018
The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill was passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament today. This is the first forestry legislation since the Parliament was reconvened in 1999 and completes the process of devolution of forestry that was started with the Scotland Act nearly 20 years ago.
All the Bill documents can be found on the Scottish Parliament's page.
Further analysis highlights financial implications of single agency
12 March 2018
Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity Fergus Ewing has written to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee with further detail on the practical implications of the creation of a single agency and advice from the Scottish Government’s Chief Financial Officer, Gordon Wales detailing the significant implications that establishing a single agency would entail. View the correspondence.
Positive response to ‘Forestry in Scotland’ statement
23 February 2018
Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity Fergus Ewing has welcomed the breadth of positive response from stakeholders to the Forestry in Scotland statement published on 5 February 2018.
The stakeholders include the Chair of the Forestry Commission, Scottish Land and Estates, Community Land Scotland, Community Woodlands Association, Confor, BSW Timber and UK Forest Products Association. View the correspondence.
Forestry in Scotland statement published
5 February 2018
A statement – Forestry in Scotland- which outlines how Scottish Ministers will manage and administer their forestry responsibilities when devolution of forestry is completed to Scotland, was published today. The statement fulfils a commitment made by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity Fergus Ewing to make available further details on the future arrangements required to complete devolution.
Stage 2 of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill proceedings conclude
13 December 2017
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity Fergus Ewing attended the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee session today for the concluding session of Stage 2 of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill. The completion of this stage, the main amending stage of the process, marks another milestone in the progression of the Bill through Parliament.
More detail of the session can be found in the Official Report. An “as amended” version of the Bill will be published by the Parliament on 14 December 2017.
Parliament debate the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill
7 November 2017
Parliament debated and agreed to the general principles of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill today, marking the end of Stage 1. More detail of the session can be found in the Official Report.
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee publish their Stage 1 report on the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill
6 October 2017
The Committee published their Stage 1 report on the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill today following their consideration of evidence. More detail can be found in the RECC Committee Report.
New organisational structures announced
11 May 2017
New organisational structures for forestry were announced on 11 May 2017 by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity Fergus Ewing. The new structures will be:
-
A new executive agency based on the existing Forest Enterprise Scotland: Forestry and Land Scotland. This agency will focus initially on management and development of our National Forest Estate and has potential to take on a wider land management role
-
A dedicated Forestry Division, previously Forestry Commission Scotland, within the Scottish Government to lead on forestry policy, advice, regulation and grants
Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill introduced to Parliament
10 May 2017
The Forestry and Land Manangement (Scotland) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 10 May 2017.
The policy aims of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill are to deliver:
-
Improved accountability, transparency and policy alignment
-
A modernised legislative framework
-
More effective use of Scotland’s publicly owned land
The Bill and accompanying documents have been published by the Scottish Parliament and more information can be found in the completing devolution section.