NFU Scotland demands more ‘farmer friendly’ forestry grants

NFU Scotland has called for forestry grant support to be kept separate from the agricultural budget, in a bid to minimise red tape and maintain working farmland.

In response to the Scottish government’s consultation on the Forestry Grant Scheme, the union used results from a six-week survey of members to highlight concerns over grants awarded for planting trees on productive farmland.

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NFUS vice-president Andrew Connon said: “Members remain deeply concerned about the volume of productive land in Scotland that is being taken out of agricultural production for trees.

“We have hugely ambitious targets for tree planting in Scotland and farmers and crofters have a huge role to play in that. However, forestry targets must recognise that we need to have the right tree in the right place.”

The survey also highlighted fears over “greenwashing”, which would see large areas of productive farmland being purchased by private investors looking to offset the carbon footprint of their companies, without regard for Scottish farming and wildlife. 

Mr Connon continued: “On future budgets for planting, the majority of our members believe food production should be the priority for the agriculture budget. Forestry and woodland funding should not dilute this and come from a separate funding stream.

“We need an easier application process, less red tape, and support for smaller areas of woodland, shelter belts and hedgerows that we can integrate into existing agricultural activities.”