The Scottish Government must up its commitment to tree planting to prevent a drop in the supply of timber in the future, warns a leading forestry figure.
Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor) chief executive Stuart Goodall says the government’s tree planting commitments must be extended for a further 20 years.
His plea comes following the publication of the Forestry Commission’s first ever 50-year and 100-year timber supply forecasts.
The 50-year report paints a positive picture for the short-term future of the industry, predicting a significant increase in the availability of timber until the mid 2030s.
However, the 100-year projection suggests a subsequent drop in supply to 2050 and beyond.
Mr Goodall said the drop in supply – estimated to be around 60million cubic metres of timber – was a result of a fall in commercial planting in recent years.
He warned it could result in the loss of more than 1,000 jobs in the Scottish forestry industry, as well as a lost chance to cut carbon emissions by 55million tonnes.
“Action has to be taken now to safeguard a Scottish success story and ensure our industry continues to thrive in the long-term,” said Mr Goodall.
“That means hitting existing targets to plant 6,000 hectares of commercial forestry every year until 2022, then maintaining that through to 2042.
“If the Scottish Government commits to maintain existing planting rates for 20 more years, we can guarantee investment, secure jobs in rural communities and help Scotland meet its world-leading carbon reduction targets.”
According to Confor estimates, the Scots forestry industry supports 40,000 jobs and adds around £1.7billion in value to the Scottish economy every year.
“The fall-off in supply might seem far away, but we have to act now to secure a successful industry for rural Scotland,” added Mr Goodall.
“A sustainable timber supply creates long-term investment, which is good for the rural economy and jobs, good for the environment and good for Scotland.”
The Forestry Commission said close collaboration with forest industries will be key to ensuring a consistent timber supply is delivered in future.
The commission said the aim over the next 50 years will be to manage the existing resource to minimise peaks and drops in availability to ensure a steady supply of timber coming to the market.
Environment and climate change minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “This is the first time in 15 years that timber availability forecasts have looked further ahead than a 25-year time horizon – and these robust 50-year forecasts will help the sector to plan for the future.
“I am confident that with industry-wide cooperation and innovation, the sector in Scotland will be able to optimise the available resource and ensure that over the next 50 years, current, record production levels are sustained.”
The Forestry Commission added that ongoing restocking and new planting of productive forests would be key to supporting softwood availability from the 2040s onwards and meeting Scotland’s carbon emmission targets.