Public support for forestry in Scotland is critical now and in the future, according to forestry minister Allan Wilson.
Speaking at the first Scottish Forestry Forum at Battleby in Perthshire, Mr Wilson encouraged participants to use the meeting to make suggestions to ensure progress is made in implementing the Scottish Forest Strategy, published in 2000.
He also outlined developments since the Strategy was published including support for Treefest Scotland, provision of £26m for forestry grants next year, a review of the Woodland Grant Scheme and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme and support for Scottish Enterprise‘s Scottish Forest Industries Cluster.
Looking ahead, Mr Wilson said he would be discussing the issues of timber transport with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and forest industries early in 2003.
