Politics

Q&A

A wide variety of stakeholders attended the Forestry Summit

The Scottish Forestry Summit, one year on

Mary Creagh MP, whose ministerial brief includes forestry, voiced clear support for an increase in productive conifer planting

Mary Creagh MP, whose ministerial brief includes forestry, voiced clear support for an increase in productive conifer planting

'Shared goals' between forestry industry and Labour Government, conference told

Victoria Vyvyan, CLA president.

Victoria Vyvyan, CLA president.

Half of rural voters trust Labour less after inheritance tax move – poll

Dr Sam Rushworth, MP for Bishop Auckland.

Dr Sam Rushworth, MP for Bishop Auckland.

Planning and development

MP voices concerns about £32.6m Forestry England plans

The UK hit modern-day highs when it came to woodland creation last year

The UK hit modern-day highs when it came to woodland creation last year

New UK TreePlanting Taskforce 'could boost private sector confidence'

Many farmers had protested against the proposed 10 per cent cover target

Many farmers had protested against the proposed 10 per cent cover target

U-turn on Welsh farm tree rule after backlash

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir pictured with the three independent members of the new Environmental Governance Review (L-R) John McCallister, Diane Ruddock OBE and Dr Viviane Gravey (chair.).

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir pictured with the three independent members of the new Environmental Governance Review (L-R) John McCallister, Diane Ruddock OBE and Dr Viviane Gravey (chair.).

Independent environment protection agency could be set up in Northern Ireland

Overall import volumes of the main timber and panel products remain just 2.8% lower in the first eight months of 2024 than during the same period in 2023

Overall import volumes of the main timber and panel products remain just 2.8% lower in the first eight months of 2024 than during the same period in 2023

UK timber imports 'stabilise' during 2024, says TDUK

Speakers included forestry minister Mary Creagh, top, and Neil Macdonald of Orchard Park Farm.

Speakers included forestry minister Mary Creagh, top, and Neil Macdonald of Orchard Park Farm.

Products, people and possibilities: The National Forestry Conference 2024 in full

New shadow Defra secretary Victoria Atkins. Photo: Victoria Atkins/House of Commons/Roger Harris

New shadow Defra secretary Victoria Atkins. Photo: Victoria Atkins/House of Commons/Roger Harris

The Political Field

Victoria Atkins has been appointed as shadow Defra secretary in cabinet shuffle

Firewood is a vital industry in Scotland

Firewood is a vital industry in Scotland

A view from the forest

A View from the Forest

'Wood burning at home is a fundamental part of life'

Stuart (left) with Mary Creagh and David Robertson, Director of Investment & Business Development at Scottish Woodlands (2nd right) and David Leslie, Joint Managing Director, James Jones & Sons (right) taken at Labour conference in Liverpool

Stuart (left) with Mary Creagh and David Robertson, Director of Investment & Business Development at Scottish Woodlands (2nd right) and David Leslie, Joint Managing Director, James Jones & Sons (right) taken at Labour conference in Liverpool

Forestry minister 'enthusiastic' about Timber in Construction Roadmap

The Scottish Government has confirmed wood-burning stoves will be permitted in new homes

The Scottish Government has confirmed wood-burning stoves will be permitted in new homes

New-build wood-burning stove ban lifted in Scotland

A leading forestry manager has suggested a levy could be placed on all timber sales

A leading forestry manager has suggested a levy could be placed on all timber sales

Timber sales levy ‘could fund species diversification’

There is an industry here that is desperate to be part of this net-zero house-building agenda. It just has to be given the tools

There is an industry here that is desperate to be part of this net-zero house-building agenda. It just has to be given the tools

A view from the forest

A View from the Forest

How forestry could help one of the big winners from Autumn Budget

A view from the cabin

A view from the cabin

Scottish Government

Cuts to forestry grant funding 'should be reversed' in wake of UK Budget

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves poses for photographs as she leaves 11 Downing Street, London, before delivering her first Budget to the Houses of Parliament

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves poses for photographs as she leaves 11 Downing Street, London, before delivering her first Budget to the Houses of Parliament

Latest from the woods

Latest from the Woods

The key forestry news you might have missed from the Budget

It recently emerged NRW had failed to meet its target of selling 721,500 m³ obs of timber as a sustainable harvest during the 2023/24 season, with 707,000 m³ obs put to market.

It recently emerged NRW had failed to meet its target of selling 721,500 m³ obs of timber as a sustainable harvest during the 2023/24 season, with 707,000 m³ obs put to market.

Maximising productive forestry on public estate would 'ease NRW financial woes'

No fresh money was set aside for forestry - but there is a general feeling that it the Budget wasn't as bad as initially feared.

No fresh money was set aside for forestry - but there is a general feeling that it the Budget wasn't as bad as initially feared.

'We need to invest more in forestry': Industry leaders react to Autumn Budget

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves poses outside 11 Downing Street, London, with her ministerial red box

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves poses outside 11 Downing Street, London, with her ministerial red box

No fresh money set aside for woodland creation in England

The aftereffects of Ips on a continental plantation

The aftereffects of Ips on a continental plantation

Latest from the woods

Ips typographus

Spruce planting ban gives 'forestry fighting chance'

Richard Stanford, right, signed the declarations on behalf of the UK government

Richard Stanford, right, signed the declarations on behalf of the UK government

UK joins European nations in reaffirming commitment to 'sustainable forestry'

Ann Quinton of Elvanfoot with her wood-burning stove STY VA..Picture Gordon Terris Herald & Times..24/5/24.

Ann Quinton of Elvanfoot with her wood-burning stove STY VA..Picture Gordon Terris Herald & Times..24/5/24.

Wood-burning stoves

Wood-burning stove ban paused in Scotland as industry praises 'common sense' move

From October 1, no woodland can be made up of more than 65 per cent of a single tree species

From October 1, no woodland can be made up of more than 65 per cent of a single tree species

Reminder issued ahead of new UKFS rules coming into effect

Sustainable and productive forestry creates a vibrant rural economy

Sustainable and productive forestry creates a vibrant rural economy

Major player reaffirms its commitment to sustainable forestry

The UK is the world's third-largest net importer of timber, only behind China and the USA

The UK is the world's third-largest net importer of timber, only behind China and the USA

'No longer morally acceptable' for UK to import 81 per cent of its timber

The plantation is due to surround the James Buchan Way near Peebles

The plantation is due to surround the James Buchan Way near Peebles

Forestry work halted at Stobo Hope plantation as 'new evidence' comes to light

Ofgem did not find any evidence that Drax’s biomass was not sustainable

Ofgem did not find any evidence that Drax’s biomass was not sustainable

Drax to pay £25m penalty for data-reporting breach after wood-burning probe

A project that transported a forwarder by barge to a remote woodland is among those to have benefited from the fund in the past

A project that transported a forwarder by barge to a remote woodland is among those to have benefited from the fund in the past

A view from the forest

A View from the Forest

Anger grows over decision to redirect nature recovery fund

Drax is Britain’s biggest power station

Drax is Britain’s biggest power station

Drax bosses defend biomass use amid repeated criticism from 'green groups'

Britain pledged to protect and conserve at least 30% of the country’s land and sea by 2030.

Britain pledged to protect and conserve at least 30% of the country’s land and sea by 2030.

UK at risk of missing legally binding target to protect biodiversity – report

The law came into effect earlier this month

The law came into effect earlier this month

FSC hails 'new era' for Europe's forests

Money to support tree planting is being diverted

Money to support tree planting is being diverted

Money to restore nature to be spent settling public sector pay rises

Northern Ireland's conifer planting rate lags behind its broadleaved species

Northern Ireland's conifer planting rate lags behind its broadleaved species

Uncertainty abounds over future of Welsh public forestry

The potential job losses come at a time of uncertainty over how NRW views forestry

The potential job losses come at a time of uncertainty over how NRW views forestry

NRW plans to cut more than 250 jobs

One reader was reluctant to share their identity when addressing a recent issue

One reader was reluctant to share their identity when addressing a recent issue

Letters to the editor

Letters to the Editor

'I feel it necessary to share this letter anonymously for fear of reprisal'

APF is our opportunity to put forestry under the spotlight, writes Tanarus

APF is our opportunity to put forestry under the spotlight, writes Tanarus

Forester's Diary

'We should be getting on with a major PR programme' - Forester's Diary

The EIP was published by the previous government in 2023 t

The EIP was published by the previous government in 2023 t

Rapid review of environmental plans aim to ‘save nature’ – minister

Any beetles blown over the English Channel into south-east England would have originated from a big outbreak occurring in a mountainous area of southern Belgium where there is a lot of Norway spruce

Any beetles blown over the English Channel into south-east England would have originated from a big outbreak occurring in a mountainous area of southern Belgium where there is a lot of Norway spruce

Pests and diseases

Do we finally have a definitive answer as to how Ips arrived in the UK?

Machines of all kinds could be found at KWF Tagung

Machines of all kinds could be found at KWF Tagung

Letter from the editor

Letter from the editor

It was heartening to be presented with the results of skill and drive

Mary Creagh takes on the role at an important time for forestry in England and the wider UK

Mary Creagh takes on the role at an important time for forestry in England and the wider UK

Latest from the woods

Latest from the Woods

EXCL: New forestry minister on her ambitions for the industry

Northern Ireland's conifer planting rate lags behind its broadleaved species

Northern Ireland's conifer planting rate lags behind its broadleaved species

NI's forestry bosses move to reassure industry amid 'left in limbo' claims

Concern has been raised about the future of forestry in Wales

Concern has been raised about the future of forestry in Wales

Latest from the woods

Latest from the Woods

1

How Wales' 'unique problem' could see concerns over forestry endure

Only 9 per cent of homes in England are timber framed

Only 9 per cent of homes in England are timber framed

Timber sector 'must unite' and 'demand investment in construction industry'

Freshly cut pine logs showing honey coloured sapwood ready to transport

Freshly cut pine logs showing honey coloured sapwood ready to transport

'Don't see forestry as merely a rural concern' RFS urges in open letter to new PM

The UK must 'ramp up' its tree planting rates, climate advisors have said

The UK must 'ramp up' its tree planting rates, climate advisors have said

Tree planting must 'be ramped up' with 'more effective delivery mechanisms' - report

Industry leaders and contractors have told of their concerns

Industry leaders and contractors have told of their concerns

Industry hits out at Wales’ ‘anti-forestry atmosphere’

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon announced the new strategy during a visit to Knoydart

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon announced the new strategy during a visit to Knoydart

New strategic approach published for rainforest management

Forestry now supports more than 34,000 jobs in Scotland

Forestry now supports more than 34,000 jobs in Scotland

Forestry contributes £1.1bn annually and supports 34,000 jobs - report

Steve Reed is Labour's first environment secretary since 2010

Steve Reed is Labour's first environment secretary since 2010

A view from the forest

A View from the Forest

All change at Defra. What will it mean for forestry?

Despite being such a vital professional, you won't hear any mention of arboriculture during this general election

Despite being such a vital professional, you won't hear any mention of arboriculture during this general election

Won't somebody think of the arborists this election time

The UK reached a modern-day woodland-creation high last year and that should be celebrated, but ...

The UK reached a modern-day woodland-creation high last year and that should be celebrated, but ...

Latest from the woods

Latest from the Woods

Dig a little deeper and one worrying trend emerges in woodland-creation stats

The UK hit a modern-day planting high in 2024; Alexander Eschlböck-Kumschier of Eschlböck, one of the leading exhibitors at 2024's KWF Tagung

The UK hit a modern-day planting high in 2024; Alexander Eschlböck-Kumschier of Eschlböck, one of the leading exhibitors at 2024's KWF Tagung

Forestry briefing

Forestry Briefing

Should we be celebrating UK's woodland-creation results? Forestry Briefing June 2024

Is it a surprise that forestry has fallen down the pecking order?

Is it a surprise that forestry has fallen down the pecking order?

Letter from the editor

Letter from the editor

We haven't heard a squeak about forestry. Don't expect that to change.