SRDP 2014-2020
John Risby
Forestry Commission Scotland
SRDP 2007-2013
Headline Messages (March 2012)
• £131m approved forestry activity
– £102m Woodland Creation (78%)
– £29m Woodland Management (22%)
•
Woodland Creation
– 21,266 ha approved (average cost £4650/ha)
– 71% Native Woodland (average cost £4913/ha)
• Sustainable Management of Forests
– Restructuring Felling (54% of approved funding)
– Native Woodlands (25% of approved funding)
• Woodland Improvement Grants
– Significant area under Forest Plans (222,262 ha)
– Even distribution of approved spending across types
SRDP 2014-2020
Woodland creation. Summary of approved and pipeline
10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
Scotland Totals
5000
H&I approved
H&I pipeline
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
2011
2012
2013
2014
SRDP 2014-2020
Forestry Working Group 2014
• One of 8 working groups
• Consider draft EU Regulations for new programme
• Challenge to maintain momentum during expected
gap between this SRDP and next
• Worry over income foregone payments
SRDP 2014-2020
Forestry proposals
– Evolution- continue with woodland creation & woodland
management
– Balance in planting type (71%native)
– Simpler support for restocking and challenge funds
– Agro-forestry option
– Simpler delivery and easier for applicants
SRDP 2014-2020
SRDP 2014-2020 Timetable
April 2012 – Aug 2012
Working Groups
Sept 2012 – March
2013
Apr – June 2013
Collate WG
feedback
Consultation
July – Sept 2013
Finalise SRDP
Oct-Dec 2013
EC approval
2014
Introduce SRDP
SRDP 2014-2020
Consider the following changes
• Woodland Creation Options
– Update operational inputs and Standard cost (remove
tree shelters and fund as separate standard cost)
– Reduce difference between PC and native
– Split native into 3 or 4 options reflecting woodland
type
– Revisit natural regeneration
– Introduce agro-forestry option
SRDP 2014-2020
Consider the following changes
• Woodland Management
– Simplify restructuring. WIG payment only
– Higher SMF grants for designated sites, priority
species etc
– Bring squirrel control and pruning/thinning into
forestry pot
– Revisit Rhodo control
SRDP 2014-2020
• Affordability
• Woodland Expansion Advisory Group
Recommendations