Policy Roundup – January 2024

Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved.

Institute news

The Institute is delighted that Tom Jenkins FICFor has been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the Forestry Sector in the New Year Honours 2024 list. Currently the Head of Forest Research in Wales, Tom’s long and distinguished career has led to a wealth of tree knowledge that has been used to significantly inform forestry practice and policy at both national and international levels. In addition to his outstanding career achievements, Tom has contributed greatly to the Institute’s operations across a number of roles. Over the last three decades, he has been responsible for helping to significantly diversify membership whilst also passionately driving improvements in professional standards across the sector. Read the full story.

The Oxford Farming Conference on 4 January, saw an announcement by the Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP, upgrading the options and funding for farming schemes –  the biggest upgrade to the UK’s farming schemes since leaving the European Union. Whilst we welcomed the announcement and are pleased to see trees on farms moving up the agenda based on their wider benefits to business and the environment, we wondered whether the announcement would lead to more questions than answers from the forestry sector. Of course we support the increased payment rates and extended contracts for woodland creation and maintenance but we would like to see more equitable payment rates. Read our response.

Finally, the Early Bird discount for Trees, People and the Built Environment 5 (TPBE5) ends on 31 January. The conference plans to examine two very different roles for trees – how they can improve the quality of place for both people and nature and how they can contribute to the net zero carbon ambition for buildings and the built environment. To deliver the change needed, it is crucial that all professions and decision makers are on the same page when it comes to integrating trees in the built environment. TPBE5 has been developed by leading professional institutes and groups from across these sectors, bringing together professionals working in the built and natural environment to strengthen future collaboration.

Consultations

In December we responded to the Welsh Government consultation on net zero sector skills, the outcome of which will be used to support the development of sector skills roadmaps. Read our response.

We are currently considering responses to two open consultations and need members views to shape our response and ensure the sector is represented:

Sustainable Farming Scheme

The Welsh Government is seeking views on the long-term programme to support the agriculture industry in Wales, including the 10% requirement for trees on farms. This consultation closes on 7 March; please send your thoughts to our Technical Policy Manager, Shona Smyth MICFor, by 23 February, or attend our virtual drop-in session on Thursday 15 February. View consultation.

Careers education, skills, training and development for agricultural, horticultural and forestry workers: call for evidence

The Welsh Government has also recently opened a call for evidence and expertise on the delivery of careers education, skills, training and development for agricultural, horticultural and forestry workers in Wales. Please send your comments to Shona Smyth MICFor by 15 March and respond individually online by 2 April. View consultation.

We are also encouraging members to respond to the Scottish Government consultation on Managing Deer for Climate and Nature. This consultation closes on 29 March.

Representation

Defra Tree Health Policy Group

Tom Jenkins FICFor, provided an update from the Defra Tree Health Policy Group, and the publication of a pest risk analysis (PRA) on the UK Plant Health Portal, the details of which can be found here. Members are invited to send their comments to plantpestsrisks@defra.gov.uk before 8 March. In addition from May 2024 Great Britain’s Plant Health Services will introduce new pest measures:

From 31 May 2024, certain pest and trade-facilitating legislative changes will come into force. The proposed changes include:

• Regulating two Chrysobothris beetle species that attack a wide range of deciduous trees (please find details of the stakeholder engagement currently open on the proposed import requirements on host plants, wood and woodchips from the USA and Canada. Checks on the affected wood and woodchips will be at 100%)
• Providing specific import requirements for the introduction of spruce Christmas trees from Norway, not intended for the market, for short-term display only.

From 9 November 2024, the remaining proposed changes will come into force. This includes:

• Listing certain pests, based on preliminary assessments, as provisional quarantine pests

Please see a Q&A document as well as a summary of the proposed legislative changes for more information.

England Woodland Biodiversity Group

This month, Sonia Lorenzo Martin FICFor, provided an update from the England Woodland Biodiversity Group on the Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI) Review Programme. Recent updates for Devon, Essex and Warwickshire have been QA checked and have been submitted for publication. The update project will be published as a new layer and updated as new areas are completed. Next steps: the first counties of the new layer go live 15/01/24 – the original AWI layer will remain live until the whole of England has been updated – the new layer will be updated on a county-by-county basis as areas are completed and submitted.

We currently have two vacancies to formally represent the Institute on the following groups:

• UKWAS Steering Group – Environmental Chamber
• FISA Steering Group – Please note for this role the nominee must be a member of FISA, or join, thus agreeing to support the Accord and act as a FISA ambassador.

If you are interested in representing the Institute, please provide a short statement (max. 400 words) covering how your skills and experience could best be used in the role. Please send your nomination to Shona Smyth MICFor, by 17:00 on Friday 23 February 2024.

Special Interest Groups

Our Harvesting & Marketing Special Interest Group has launched its first study tour to Lockerbie in Southwest Scotland, providing an opportunity to analyse recent market trends and anticipate where the future might take us. Members will hear about the issues and challenges from the perspective of a seller and a purchaser, covering the importance of planning, managing expectations, data capture and the use of by-products. View the programme and book a place.

Sector news, guidance and reports

Defra announce launch date of 12 February for biodiversity net gain regulations
Defra

New support for farmers with improved environmental incentives
Defra

Dr Helen McKay OBE FICFor reflects on term as Chief Forester for Scotland
Forestry Journal

Monterey pine engraver beetle of Mexican origin discovered in Ireland
Forestry Journal

Key points from the Scottish woodland creation summit
Scottish Forestry

Diverse species woodlands 35% more resilient in extreme weather
The Guardian

New digital mapping tool to increase woodland creation
Forestry Commission

Report suggests England will not meet environmental targets risking irreversible decline
The Guardian

Government subsidising wood chip burning despite net zero targets
Institute of Economic Affairs

Scottish Government criticised for cuts to forestry grant schemes
Confor

Competition for funding opens to create new Forest for the Nation in England
Defra

Landscape and sustainable construction
Construction Industry Council

FSC publish new Controlled Forest Management Standard
FSC

Institute Executive Director cautiously welcomes changes to farming schemes
Forestry Journal

Evidence submitted on how Wales can sustainably heat and build homes and workplaces by 2035
Woodknowledge Wales

EAC publishes fifth report as part of its sustainable timber and deforestation inquiry
Environmental Audit Committee

Brief published with farmers’ views on increasing tree cover on dairy farms in England
Forest Research

EAC fourth report urges government to act to tackle global deforestation
Environmental Audit Committee