The Forestry Commission and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) are carrying out a review of grants for new woodlands under the Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS) and the Farm Woodland Premium Scheme.
With the creation of nearly 37,000 acres of new woodland through WGS funding – over 60% of which also attracts FWPS annual funding – over the past three years, the consultation offers an important opportunity to influence future woodland creation in England.
Since the last review the government has published the England Forestry Strategy, the England Rural Development Programme has been established, DEFRA has been created and the ‘Report of the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food’ has been published.
A steering group working to terms of reference agreed by forestry minister Elliot Morley will oversee the review process and the consultation period will run until early August 2002 with a report expected by November 2002.
