Farmers with woodlands in Wales could do more to help tackle climate change, according to the findings of a survey commissioned by Forestry Commission Wales.
The Forestry Commission Wales survey found that the vast majority of farmers interviewed had done some work in their woods over the last three years, particularly to enhance wildlife habitats or to harvest firewood for their own use.
However, very few farmers were harvesting the full amount of firewood they could get from their woods or were planting new woodlands – two key activities that help to tackle climate change.
Richard Siddons, Head of Grants and Regulations at Forestry Commission Wales, said, “I would like to thank the farmers who gave their time to take part in this survey.
“The findings show that very few farmers are making the most of all the opportunities offered by their woodlands.
“I would therefore like to encourage farmers to bring more of their woodlands into management and to seek advice or apply for a woodland grant from us.”
About 68,000 hectares of woodland is situated on farms in Wales, representing 21% of all the country’s woodland. These woodland holdings tend to be small, averaging five hectares per farm, with half of all native woodland and half of all ancient semi-natural woodland in Wales found on farms.
Grants are available from Forestry Commission Wales to plant new woodlands and to bring existing farm woodland into sustainable management for purposes such as harvesting firewood and timber commercially.
The survey found that 70% of farmers with woodland had not looked into applying for one of these grants.
However, farmers who had received grants were very positive about them – 79% thought the Better Woodlands for Wales grant scheme was good or very good with farmers reporting that they valued this scheme for the financial benefits and also for the help and advice they received.
Richard Siddons added, “By working with Forestry Commission Wales to manage or create woodlands, farmers can get support to do even more to enhance the environmental and wildlife benefits provided by trees and to help Wales tackle climate change.”
For information on the Better Woodlands for Wales grant scheme and information about felling regulations and licences, contact Forestry Commission Wales on 0300 068 0300, email [email protected] or see www.forestry.gov.uk/wales
