The Government has today launched plans to provide grants to land
managers – including farmers – to take action against tree pests
and diseases that attack our trees, woods and forests.
Owners and managers of trees and woodlands in England are being
encouraged to take part in the pilot of the Tree Health Scheme
which starts in August.
Measures will include biosecure felling and treatment of diseased
or infested trees. The scheme will also support the restocking
and maintenance of newly re-planted trees following a pest or
disease outbreak. Plants and trees deliver £10.5 billion per year
in social, environmental and economic benefits, so reducing pest
and disease risks is crucial to protecting these vital national
assets.
The pilot will last for three years and, following scrupulous
testing and final revisions, the new scheme will fully roll out
in 2024. Details of the pilot will be published in the summer
ahead of applications opening at the end of August 2021.
The pilot delivers on the Government’s commitment - set out in
the Agricultural Transition Plan - to reduce the impact of tree
pests and disease. It will work alongside landmark plans for a
renewed agricultural sector which will transform the way farmers
and land managers are supported to encourage sustainable farming
practices alongside profitable food production. The plans include
new schemes to reward farmers and land managers for producing
public goods such as better air and water quality, thriving
wildlife, soil health, or measures to reduce flooding and tackle
the effects of climate change.
As set out in the Agricultural Transition Plan, the new Tree
Health Scheme will expand upon the current support available via
the Countryside Stewardship Tree Health grants.
Prof Nicola Spence, the UK’s Chief Plant Health Officer, said:
Trees provide huge benefits to our economy, society and the
environment – from protecting vulnerable wildlife and acting as
carbon storage to enabling a sustainable timber industry.
That’s why it is crucial that collectively we look after our
woodland and forests. I hope all those who are eligible will
apply to the pilot this summer. They will play a critical role in
supporting the design of future policies for the benefit of both
our environment and valuable industries.
The pilot will be looking to trial new elements of the future
scheme through 100 agreements with woodland owners and land
managers in London, the South East, the North West and West
Midlands. Applicants will need to have an eligible tree pest or
disease confirmed on their land by the Forestry Commission, which
will run the scheme.
Forestry Commission Chair Sir William Worsley said:
I urge eligible land owners and farmers to look into applying to
take part in the Tree Health Scheme’s pilot. A healthy treescape
is crucial to ensure that we leave our environment in a better
state for future generations and for us to reaching our net zero
by 2050 goals. Trees are central to the government’s plans to
achieve this and participation in this new scheme is a
significant step towards achieving these ambitions.
The pilot will work alongside the existing Countryside
Stewardship Woodland Tree Health grants, which will continue to
be on offer until 2024 when the new Tree Health Scheme will be
adopted. As the pilot will trial new elements of the future
scheme only, payments made as part of the Tree Health pilot will
differ to payments made as part of the existing Countryside
Stewardship Tree Health grants.
The Tree Health Scheme also supports the commitment to the 25
Year Environment Plan, the Environmental Goals of the Tree Health
Resilience Strategy and the UK’s carbon net zero goals.
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