Create at least 9,000 hectares of new native woodland annually until 2045 and incentivise integrating trees on farms and crofts
Scotland’s native woodlands currently cover just 4% of our land. A rapid increase in planting is needed to benefit from their carbon sequestration and habitats they provide. Alongside this, more realistic grants for enhanced deer management are needed to gradually reduce our reliance on planting and fencing, leading to more natural regeneration of broadleaved native woodlands, which create more diverse and resilient habitats and cost less public money.
Agroforestry is an important land use which will help the land use sector meet its commitments on climate and nature. It enables farms to adapt to climate change, through better soil structure and water infiltration to protect against flooding and provides shade and shelter for animals and farmers. The next Scottish Government should invest at scale to support high-quality agroforestry until it becomes a widely used and understood aspect of Scottish farming. There must be appropriate safeguards against land speculation using forestry grants and claiming carbon savings at the expense of small farmers and local communities.
For more information:
- Farm payments to support integration of trees and woods into farming systems in Scotland, Soil Association and Woodland Trust, 2024