HIGHLAND & ISLANDS FORUM MINUTES 3 DECEMBER 2015, 9:30 AM LEISURE CENTRE

Present Michael Foxley – Chair Amanda Bryan Mike Girvan Steve Conolly Hector Munro Gordon Brown Phil Di Duca John Risby Keir Smith Graeme Prest Steve North Robert Patton Will Boyd Wallis Adhair McIvor Ben Lennon Annabel Martin Elizabeth Barron-Majerick Willie Beattie (from 3pm) Debbie Boyd (Secretary)

1. Welcome and Apologies

The chairman welcomed all to the meeting and introduced Annabel Martin, a UHI Scottish School of Forestry student who would attend forum meetings as an observer for the next year. He said students are, and should be, at the heart of everything. Apologies had been received from John Henderson, Thomas MacDonell, Grant Holroyd, Kevin Thomas, Tim Cockerill and Judith Webb.

2. Reflections on the Morvern Meeting

The chairman said that there were controversial issues around forest management practices and deer management practices so although there were no fierce arguments there had been lively debate and this was to be welcomed. He hoped for more such opportunities for airing of different views and asked the members for their thoughts on speakers and topics for the 2016 meetings to open up the debate. It was useful to find the poles of a subject to promote wide-ranging discussion. Will said that with the options and grants for Woodland Creation under the new Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) it would be useful to have some discussion about the use of non-native conifers and why spruce is an important part of .

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3. Update on Tree Health and the Forestry Grant Scheme - John Risby

Phytophthora ramorum aerial surveys in 2015 had identified four new sites in the Highland and Islands Conservancy area, all were associated with rhododendrons and associated clearance work – these could all be seen on the website map (Latest updates on Phytophthora Ramorum - ). They were close to previous infections and most were in quite challenging locations. SPHNs (Statutory Plant Health Notices) had been issued to clear the affected and rhododendrons. It was critical that steps were taken to avoid the spread of the disease, particularly in the Great Glen; therefore affected trees must be killed and removed. With regard to Chalara dieback of ash (Hymenoscyphus fraxinea) new instances of affected trees had been reported amongst native populations in the Conservancy and so the sheltered zone status has now been removed. Although it is still not permissible to plant ash, no notices are being served for destruction. A new action plan is under development and would consider future actions for the north and west. There was nothing new to report on Dothistroma Needle Blight (Dothistroma septosporum) though, again, there were still planting restrictions in place around Caledonian Pinewoods. Members were referred to the SNH report on Dothistroma and Climate Change. John referred to the promotional postcards in three different designs to appeal to recreational users of woodlands and forests and which reminded them of the need to adopt good biosecurity in cleaning boots, paws and tyres to minimise the possibility of spreading tree diseases from affected areas to previously unaffected areas. Generally, members felt that they were a good idea but the campaign was lacking in co-ordination and could have been better-targeted and publicised. John said there was still much to do as an industry in implementing good biosecurity procedures. John would feedback forum comments to the FCS press team. AP JR

To date 360 FGS applications had been received of which 50 were in Higland and Islands Conservancy. These included 2000ha of woodland creation (70% productive conifer options) with 230 ha submitted so far in Highland and Islands. In addition the Highland and Islands applications included some large designated sites. The November clearing round had been cancelled as there were not many cases and it was too late to offer a 2015 claim year. The December clearing would go ahead and so enable ARG to get approval by the deadline of

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31 December 2015. The IT system was still under development and functionality was being released in parts. Some members complained that RP&S (Rural Priorities and Services) was bamboozling, with moving goalposts and open to different interpretations and one warned that woodland creation might reduce due to financial eligibility requirements, types of woodland supported and the loss of Farmland Premium. He stated that SRDP2 would not be as attractive to smaller schemes. John said he would take away these points but it was early days with work approved under the last scheme still being implemented. He said that the impacts of wider CAP reform in Highland and Islands was significant and the picture would be better seen over the course of a year.

4. Forestry Consultation Update

Keir Smith updated the group on the working group he is on which is updating forestry consultation and notification procedures. As part of this work the forum held a workshop for stakeholders in October in Strathpeffer, the minutes of which had been copied to members. He spoke about the remit of the group which was expected to produce its report by Christmas, He summarised the current procedures and practices, including those in the Highland and Islands and the effect of EIA regulations. He reminded members that only a local authority could sustain a formal objection and explained the mechanism for dealing with objections via Regional Advisory Committees. Amanda reminded members of the recent work by ConFor and the ICF which highlights best practice in consultation and engagement. Robert said that Highland Council stood out amongst all local authorities in terms of engagement and collateral consultation. After a review in 2010, they had taken a step back and, given the ongoing situation with budgets, it was likely that they would withdraw further, maintaining only statutory functions but he emphasised the value that their role brings in representing concerns. More guidance would be made available on the website with more contact information to maintain optimum service and through the customer representative group the process of consultation would be streamlined and made more efficient.

5. Update on Forestry Devolution

Amanda provided an update on the joint Westminster’s and ’s initiative to complete the devolution of forestry. There is a dual process in train, one looking at cross

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border functions including Forest Research and UKFS etc. and one looking at the Future of Forestry in Scotland which includes the different roles of Forestry Commission Scotland. These are both being led by the respective Government Departments which in Scotland is the Environment and Forestry Directorate under ENFOR Director Bridget Campbell, with input from Forestry Commission Scotland. There should be opportunities for the forestry sector and other stakeholders to input into these developments but the timetable for this is not yet clear. It is likely that with Scottish Government elections due to take place in May 2016 any stakeholder engagement will not take place until after then. Graham spoke of the effect of reduced timber prices on current FES budgets and the consequential impact on current work programmes. The fall in prices was largely linked to exchange rates. Coupled with a reduction in windfarm income and compounded by the recent Balcas shutdown it made for challenging times, but the timber market was cyclical and prices had been high for a while and so it was likely that things would improve again in the future. The economics of forestry and timber markets could be another topic for a future meeting. AP JR

6. Croft Woodlands Project

Willie Beattie delivered his presentation on the Croft Woodlands Project. The project focused on establishing the right woodlands in the right place, complimenting other land use activities, restoring existing woodland and adding value in whatever form that might take. The Woodland Trust had negotiated loans through the Clydesdale Bank and was planning to update the 1993 Crofting Forestry Handbook by Bernard Planterose. He explained that after initially slow progress the project had now really taken off and was covering the applications to “fair proposals” for getting the grant after which the applicant could take it from there. The CWP made things less complicated, took a lighter touch and promoted more enthusiasm and momentum. One slide referred to “A study of barriers and possible solutions to encouraging new crofter forestry projects” by Rural Analysis Associates. Not all members were familiar with this report commissioned by the Conservancy and the Secretary said she would email this to the forum. AP DMB Other questions centred on the “MOREwoods” initiative which was being used to assist some applications on smaller in-bye areas where FGS grants couldn’t be accessed. Willie said he would forward information on this to the Secretary who could email it to the forum. AP DMB

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John highlighted that the partnership between Woodland Trust, FSC, SCF and Point and Sandwick Community was drawing in significant non-governmental funds to support activity in Highland and Islands. The Chairman suggested integration of woodlands and agriculture should be added to the project objectives and asked Willie to come back again in 2016 and let the forum know how applications were progressing.

7. AOCB

The Chairman asked for titles for future debate in 2016. John Risby drew attention to Scottish Government’s draft Land Use Strategy and asked if the forum wished to respond as an entity by the deadline of 29 January 2016. Some members would already have responded as individuals and/ or members of other groups or organisations but a commitment to review strategy and policy was the RFF’s raison d’être and they should discuss if they wanted to respond and how. The Chairman asked for the forum members to informally submit copies of their other responses insofar as relevant to the forum and the common threads could be extracted. Submissions could be circulated through the Secretary by 15th January 2016. AP DMB John said he would pick out the relevant questions. AP JR Robert Patton and Steve North were to seek contributions on behalf of Highland Council and SNH respectively and refer to the work which had started on developing a Highland land use strategy. AP RP & SN

The Chair concluded the meeting and said he looked forward to seeing everyone again in the new year.

Dates for 2016 meetings are as follows:-

Tuesday 12th April 2016 Tuesday 23rd August 2016 Thursday 1st December 2016

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