Future Grant Support for Forestry

Scottish Forestry have launched a consultation about the future of grant support for forestry.

Consultation is an essential part of the policymaking process. It gives the opportunity to consider opinions and expertise on a proposed area of work.

This consultation exercise seeks to draw on the views, insights and experience of landowners, land managers and the people of Scotland in the further development of grant support for forestry post-2025 and into the future. It will help shape the implementation of the broad powers that will be provided through the Agricultural Bill when it replaces the current legislative framework provided by the Scotland Rural Development Programme.

The Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) was introduction in 2015 and has supported over 5,200 projects and delivered over 68,000 hectares of new woodland, making a valuable contribution to tackling climate change.

Màiri McAllan, Minister for Environment and Land Reform said:

“I am delighted to be launching this consultation to help shape future grant support for forestry from 2025 onwards. Your views, insights and experience will be invaluable in helping evolve public support for forestry to ensure it delivers best value for money in achieving the Scottish Government’s outcomes, as set out in the Programme for Government and Bute House Agreement, including our ambitious commitment to achieve net zero by 2045 through a just transition”.

“Forestry has a significant role in confronting not just the twin global climate and biodiversity crises, but also the increase in global demand for timber and wood fibre that we face today and into the future. Tackling these global challenges through woodland expansion rightly has strong cross-party support in the Scottish Parliament”.

A number of enhancements have been made to the FGS since it was introduced.  To ensure that the scheme continues to deliver multiple benefits for the climate, economy, biodiversity and communities we would encourage people to take part in this consultation.

Taking part in the online questionnaire will provide invaluable insight, to help guide the future development of the scheme.  Responses can also be emailed or posted using the respondent information. 

Find more information and a link to the survey below.

Future Grant Support for Forestry - Scottish Forestry - Citizen Space