NEW HELP FOR FARM WOODLANDS (27/06/06)

Farmers are being encouraged to diversify their land use and realise the potential of farm woodlands with three new initiatives announced by Rhona Brankin, Scottish Forestry Minister, during a visit to the Royal Highland Show on Friday June 23.

Announcing the successful applicants to the £325,000 Developing Woodland Energy grant scheme, a new £100,000 pilot rural development grant scheme for Breadalbane in Perthshire, and a farm woodland design manual, Ms Brankin said: "Farm woodlands are a key feature for Scotland's landscape and biodiversity. Woods can provide many benefits to the farmer, which range from shelter for livestock, wood for energy, fencing, farm buildings and animal bedding, and screening for farm buildings to providing a great setting for green tourism enterprises. "We have been helping farmers to establish woods for a range of benefits, and these new measures will support farmers in developing woodlands that contribute to the farming enterprise. Diversifying farm businesses in this way contributes to sustaining healthy rural communities."

The three initiatives are:

* the £325,000 Developing Woodland Energy grant, under which nine successful applicants have been announced for the development of local wood energy supply chains. The scheme helps support farm diversification, renewable energy developments and the sustainable, long-term management of farm woodlands. By supporting the development of wood fuel supply enterprises, Forestry Commission Scotland aims to increase confidence and investment in local wood heating and combined heat and power schemes. The awards will support investments in the harvesting, chipping, drying and distribution of wood for fuel;

* the launch of a £100,000 grant pilot scheme, Adding Value to Farm Woodlands, focused on the Breadalbane area. The scheme - which runs for two years from June 30 - will support initiatives to increase the economic use and active management of farm woodlands by promoting the development and supply of value-added timber and non-timber forest products. At the end of the two years, information gained will help to provide a context for capital grants to be introduced for this type of business development across Scotland; and

* a manual on the Creation of Small Woodlands on Farms has been published by Forestry Commission Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Executive and Scottish Natural Heritage. It graphically demonstrates how to plan and design new farm woods to maximise their contribution to local landscapes, biodiversity, and efforts to tackle climate change, as well as providing economic and community benefits. It is free on application to Forestry Commission Scotland and is expected to be available on line during July.