Response 505346759

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Introduction

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New organisational arrangements in Scotland

1. Our proposals are for a dedicated Forestry Division in the Scottish Government (SG) and an Executive Agency to manage the NFE. Do you agree with this approach?

Please select one item
Yes
No
Please explain your answer
Forestry is important to the Scottish economy and needs full government support.

2. In bringing the functions of FCS formally into the SG, how best can we ensure that the benefits of greater integration are delivered within the wider SG structure?

Giving it enough autonomy and finance to set an agenda for promoting forestry and delivering it, without getting caught up in conflicting interests from other government bodies.
What additional benefits should we be looking to achieve?
More woodland creation, for climate change, economy and social benefits, both in the private sector and public forest estate.

3. How should we ensure that professional skills and knowledge of forestry are maintained within the proposed new forestry structures?

Maintain strong links with Welsh, English and Northern Irish government to allow transfer of knowledge and people as has previously happened in the Forestry Commission, as a national body.

4. What do you think a future land agency for Scotland could and should manage and how might that best be achieved?

All land in public ownership.

Effective cross-border arrangements

5. Do you agree with the priorities for cross-border co-operation set out above, i.e. forestry research and science, plant health and common codes such as UK Forestry Standard?

Please select one item
Yes
No

6. If no to question 5, what alternative priorities would you prefer? Why?

It should go beyond this. Savings can be made by sharing people and training. Policy could also be shared when there are no conflicting objectives. Efficiencies can be gained by sharing policy teams and back office functions nationally, rather than having smaller multiple national teams trying to do the same things.

7. Do you have views on the means by which cross-border arrangements might be delivered effectively to reflect Scottish needs?

Let countries take lead on areas of expertise, share policy teams and central functions/staff. Maintain national links and identity to make it easier for the public to understand what government does for forestry.

Legislation and regulation

8. Should the Scottish Ministers be placed under a duty to promote forestry?

Please select one item
Yes
No

9. What specifically should be included in such a general duty?

Promoting the three current ideas of Economy environment and People in appropriate balance.

Assessing impact

12. Do you think that the proposals contained in this consultation are likely to increase or reduce the costs and burdens placed on any sector? Please be as specific as possible.

I think these proposals will increase the costs of regulating and managing forestry nationwide, unless this is offset by an unacceptable reduction in capability and scope.

14. Are there any likely impacts that the proposals contained in this consultation may have upon the environment? Please be as specific as possible

Without extra funding, country organisations will have to spend more on overheads than a national body, reducing capabilities of each country.