Stuart Goodall, ConFor’s exeuctive director of policy and research, has made the assertion following the Scottish Executive’s announcement of £1.6bn of funding for the Rural Development Programme, which includes £175m set aside for woodland creation.
However, Mr Goodall has said that it is imperative that the money is used in part to fund commercial planting, otherwise Scotland could face a material shortage in 30 years.
“We want to see 10,000ha of new planting every year, with 6,000ha of that for commercial forestry,” said Mr Goodall.
“We will be seeking a meeting…to ensure that funding to support this programme of new planting will be met from the £175m…earmarked for woodland creation.”
