RFS Welcomes New Commitments from Environment Secretary to Support Woodland Creation and Management
London, Tuesday 9 January, 2024 – The Royal Forestry Society (RFS) has expressed its support for the recent commitments made by the new Environment Secretary, Steve Barclay, to incorporate the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) and the Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG) into the upcoming Environmental Land Management (ELM) Schemes.
Chief Executive of RFS, Christopher Williams, stated, “We welcome the certainty that EWCO and WCPG will continue under the ELMs. This is a positive step towards ensuring a sustainable future for our woodlands.”
While acknowledging the progress made, Williams also emphasized the need for further commitments to support and develop training and upskilling opportunities for woodland managers. He believes that a skilled workforce is essential for effectively managing woodlands and addressing challenges such as climate change.
Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference, Steve Barclay announced a phased approach to transition EWCO and WCPG into ELM schemes. He also promised to expand tree health support in Countryside Stewardship and review rates for the England Woodland Creation Offer and related forestry grants alongside the new ELM.
In addition to these commitments, Mr Barclay also announced new actions within the woodland management offer to improve resilience, flood and drought mitigation, manage precious woodland habitats, and provide educational and public access. There will also be new capital items for restocking, coppicing, and ride creation.
Moreover, to encourage agroforestry, Mr Barclay announced a suite of in-field actions across various tree densities, alongside agricultural production.
The RFS also noted some improvements in payment rates under Countryside Stewardship, as well as promises to enhance offers for wood pasture and species management, including addressing issues caused by deer and grey squirrels.
With these commitments, the RFS believes that there is potential for a thriving forestry sector in the future, which can contribute significantly to addressing environmental challenges. The organization looks forward to working with the government to ensure the successful implementation of these plans.
This news release was distributed by Pressat, a leading UK news distribution service. Pressat is committed to providing reliable and accurate news coverage to its audience.
