Integrating trees on Scotland’s farms and crofts

Woodland Trust Scotland and the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFU Scotland) have jointly written to the Scottish Government calling for farmers and crofters to be given more support to integrate native trees on their land.

This letter comes after NFU Scotland and other organisations lent their support to payment proposals developed by Woodland Trust Scotland and Soil Association Scotland in consultation with farmers and crofters, which were launched at the Royal Highland Show last year.

The letter and proposals are also endorsed by several organisations, including the Scottish Crofting Federation. The full list of organisations endorsing the proposals is:

• Woodland Trust Scotland
• NFU Scotland
• Soil Association Scotland
• Scottish Crofting Federation
• Scottish Environment LINK
• Scottish Wildlife Trust
• Nourish Scotland
• Fisheries Management Scotland
• WWF Scotland.

The letter, addressed to the cabinet secretary, is as follows:

"As the Scottish Government continues its programme of reform of agricultural support, we write to highlight the growing interest amongst farmers, land managers and crofters in integrating trees, hedgerows and woodlands into their farming businesses – and to urge the Scottish Government to ensure that agricultural support schemes enable and encourage this.

"The economic and environmental benefits of integrating trees are becoming increasingly understood. The integration of trees on farms is not about land use change, but about enhancing agricultural systems in ways that maintain or improve food production.

"More is being expected of land managers as we navigate our response to climate change and nature decline in Scotland, and farmers and crofters are ready to take action. However, they need a support framework that reflects the realities of land management and the diversity of farming systems across Scotland.

"Last year, you joined us at the Royal Highland Show as Woodland Trust Scotland and Soil Association Scotland launched a suite of recommendations and payment options which were designed with farmers.

"The recommendations focus on ‘non woodland’/low density opportunities which offer value for land managers and public spending, but which are currently not supported by existing schemes.
Key considerations:

• Land managers should be able to apply for these options either on their own or in combination with other habitat improvement options.
• In integrating any of these options the Scottish Government must ensure there is no impact on eligibility for basic payments.
• The uptake and implementation of these options should be monitored and adjustments made to both specifications and payment levels where necessary.
• The effective choice of species, protection and maintenance will require a degree of technical expertise which should be addressed through the publication of detailed design and specification guidance, training of farm advisors, integration of basic agroforestry training into existing and future agricultural education programmes and continued support for the Integrating Trees Network.
• Carbon sequestration estimates should be made for each of these options to enable farmers to use them in farm carbon budgets.
• For biosecurity, conservation and optimal survival, all trees should be certified as UK or Ireland Sourced and Grown (UKISG).
• We estimate that budgets of £10m per annum or more would double land involved with agroforestry and woodland in Scotland.

"We also urge you to finalise the Tier 3 and 4 funding splits so that land managers have clarity about how they will be supported to farm more in harmony with nature and respond to the impacts of more extreme weather.

"Flexible tree planting options are the low hanging fruit of agri-environment schemes. These options have already been tested by farmers, are relatively simple, and could easily be rolled out more widely.

"We urge the Scottish Government to give these detailed proposals serious consideration as part of a wider package of support to help farmers and crofters implement climate adaption, climate mitigation, and biodiversity enhancements on their landholdings. We look forward to your response."