The NFU Tree Strategy sets out the opportunities, barriers and key policy asks for a long-term tree management and planting plan which can help deliver benefits to the environment which work alongside food production.
On the launch of the strategy NFU environment forum chair Richard Bramley said: “The overriding message I hear from farmers is the importance of planting the right tree in the right place and that is why we have put that message front and centre of our Tree Strategy.”
Tree policy progress review
Overall, good progress has been made on some of the NFU’s key tree policy asks, however, there are key outstanding asks, such as the gap in support for bringing existing woodlands back into management as well as the permanency element of trees which remains a barrier to tree planting.
The NFU will continue to work with government to help address these barriers.
We’ve colour coded the NFU headline asks on tree policy so you can track how much progress the government has made in each area.
Each ask has been rated either red, amber or green to help easily identify how much progress has been made.
- Green: Ask has been addressed
- Amber: There has been some progress but there is room for further action
- Red: There has been no, or limited progress.
'Right tree in the right place'
The NFU stresses the need to consider factors such as the tree species, appropriate sourcing to match the location and the long-term objectives- the “right tree in the right place.’’
Incentives to bring existing woodland back into management
The NFU would like to see incentives to bring existing woodlands back into management and this should be a priority over new plantings.
Tree planting must be voluntary
The NFU stresses that it must be voluntary for land managers to plant trees.
Tree planting scheme tenancy clauses must be addressed
The NFU urges the government to address the existing tree planting scheme tenancy clauses which could potentially prevent 30% of our agricultural land from engaging in tree planting.
Government should reconsider the permanency element of tree planting
The NFU believes government should reconsider the permanency element of planting trees which is currently a barrier. Where tree planting is permanent land use change, the government must ensure that incentives compensate for the permanent loss in capital value of the land.
Recognition and incentives for trees outside of woodland
The NFU would like to see increased recognition and incentives for trees outside of woodlands. These are often a key part of the farmed environment.
Government must ensure that the taxation regime no longer presents a barrier to tree planting
The NFU recognises that for farmers to voluntarily engage with tree planting, policy barriers in the existing taxation regime must be addressed.
In summary, it is positive to see that the government has made some progress in addressing many of the key NFU asks.
For example, continued recognition of “right tree in the right place” through low sensitivity mapping in woodland creation offers, greater advisory support in the PIES project and the introduction of pilots such as Tree Health Pilot and the Farm Woodland Standard which supported land managers with existing trees and woodland.
There are several tree policy priorities the NFU would like to see addressed by government going forward.
These include:
- How tree planting targets will be delivered and how they fit alongside food production.
- Clarity on the future of tree advisory support, and the Farm Woodland Standard.
- Clarity on the permanency element of agroforestry and short rotation coppice.
- How current and future tree planting offers will be made more flexible and accessible to land managers.
- How government will ensure the taxation regime does not present a barrier to farm tree planting.
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