Completing forestry devolution provides the opportunity to refresh and strengthen cross-border co-operation on a range of matters including tree health, forestry science and research and common codes such as the UK Forestry Standard.
The Scottish, UK and Welsh Governments and the Forestry Commission have discussed and agreed joint new shared responsibility for key cross-border functions, with each government co-ordinating delivery of one or more functions on behalf of all three administrations.
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Scotland will take the lead on the UK Forestry Standard, the Woodland Carbon Code and forestry economics advice.
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Wales will co-ordinate the commissioning, co-ordination and programme management of forestry research, including the Science and Innovation Strategy for Forestry in Great Britain.
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England / UK will take the lead in co-ordinating International forestry policy support and certain Plant Health (Forestry) functions, primarily linked to trade. Other tree health functions will continue to be carried out separately in other countries.
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Forest Research agency will remain intact as an executive agency of the Forestry Commissioners to provide expertise in forestry science, statistics and inventory in support of the forestry functions in the three administrations.
Ministers are committed to maintaining continuity of delivery during transition to the new cross-border arrangements, which will be in place by April 2019. A Memorandum of Understanding will capture the details of the new governance, commissioning and funding arrangements.
If you require further information please contact futureforestry@gov.scot.