Scottish Forestry

Scottish Forestry (Scottish Gaelic: Coilltearachd n h-Alba) is the public body responsible for forestry regulation, policy and support to private landowners in Scotland. It was formed on 1 April 2019, to take over some of the responsibilities of Forestry Commission Scotland, which was dissolved. Scottish Forestry exists alongside Forestry and Land Scotland, also established on 1 April 2019, which is responsible for managing and promoting the National Forest Estate.[1]

Scottish Forestry
Coilltearachd n h-Alba
Agency overview
Formed1 April 2019
Preceding agency
TypeExecutive Agency of the Scottish Government
JurisdictionScotland
HeadquartersSilvan House, Edinburgh
Minister responsible
Agency executive
  • David Signorini, Chief Executive
WebsiteOfficial website

In addition to regulatory functions in Scotland, Scottish Forestry is also responsible for management of the UK Forestry Standard and the Woodland Carbon Code and for provision of economic advice on forestry: it undertakes these activities on behalf of Scotland, England and Wales under cross-border arrangements with the Forestry Commission (England) and Natural Resources Wales.[2] Under these arrangements Wales will co-ordinate the commissioning, co-ordination and programme management of forestry research, with Forest Research remaining a separate executive agency of the Forestry Commissioners, whilst the residual Forestry Commission (now covering only England for most purposes) will continue to be responsible on behalf of the whole of the UK for co-ordinating international forestry policy support and certain plant health functions in respect of trees and forestry.[3]

Scottish Forestry is an executive agency of the Scottish Government,[4] and is headquartered in Edinburgh. It forms part of the Scottish Government's Environment and Forestry Directorate, and reports to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism.[5] The Chief Executive of Scottish Forestry is Dr David Signorini, who took over from Jo O'Hara in December 2019.[6]

Forest conservancies

For organisational purposes Scottish Forestry divides Scotland into five districts, termed "conservancies":[7]

Chief Forester for Scotland

Scottish Forestry is responsible for the appointment of the Chief Forester for Scotland, who is responsible for professional standards amongst forestry staff in both Scottish Forestry and Forestry and Land Scotland.[2] The role of Chief Forester for Scotland is to:[8]

  • Be a trusted source of technical and professional expertise and advice for Scottish Ministers’ on forestry matters.
  • Act as the ‘Head of Profession’ for forestry staff in Scottish Forestry and Forestry and Land Scotland (and the wider public sector) with a responsibility for promoting and maintaining professional standards.
  • Work with professional bodies and the wider sector to promote and grow the profession of forestry in Scotland.

As of November 2020 the current Chief Forester for Scotland is Helen McKay.[8][9]

See also

References
  1. "Forestry Commission Scotland and Forest Enterprise Scotland no longer exist". Scottish Government. 2019-04-01. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
  2. "Report setting out the administrative arrangements that the Scottish Ministers intend to make for the carrying out of their functions under the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018". March 2019. pp. 3–4. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
  3. "Forestry devolution: resource list". Scottish Government. 2019-04-01. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  4. "Structures". Scottish Forestry. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
  5. "Forestry". Scottish Government. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  6. "Chief Executive announced for Scottish Forestry". Scottish Forestry. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  7. "Local Offices". Scottish Forestry. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  8. "Chief Forester for Scotland". Scottish Forestry. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  9. "New voice for the forestry profession". Scottish Forestry. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
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