Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has welcomed plans for a new woodland creation scheme as part of Glastir, which will replace ‘Better Woodlands for Wales’, but calls on the Minister Elin Jones to take more action to promote the scheme to farmers across Wales.
Glastir woodland creation grants will be launched in Autumn 2010 and administered by the Forestry Commission Wales until 1 January 2013. After that date they will be delivered by the Welsh Government.
Commenting, Assembly Member Mr Bates said:
“Given the recent low level of tree planting in Wales, I welcome the new woodland creation grant scheme under Glastir, which I believe will offer strong support for the sustainable management of our farm woodlands and improve the economic development of our forest industry.
“I am concerned that, by becoming a part of Glastir, woodland management could become an add-on to a relatively uncertain Glastir scheme. Our woodlands must not be treated as just another type of farm habitat with generic management. I hope that the Minister will reassure the industry that the new grant scheme is truly tailored to meet the needs of Wales’s woodlands and the forestry sector.
“I am confident that Glastir woodland creation grants will be an attractive incentive for farmers to increase woodland planting, as it offers both capital and maintenance payments for this work. We need to ensure that the scheme is promoted widely to all farmers in Wales, so that we see increased woodland creation and sustainable long-term management for the future.”
More information on the Glastir Woodland Creation Grant can be found online: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-6j2gxd
