MSP congratulates Scottish Woodlot Association on a first for Galloway

 

Woodlots have been actively promoted in British Columbia, where there is now a 30-year track record supporting this method of land tenure.

 

Dr McLeod commented:

 

“Giving people opportunities in the forest industry to actually manage and harvest timber for themselves is something new for Scotland but has developed a solid track record in British Columbia, where it has been accepted practice, and indeed promoted by the government, for the past 30 years.

 

“In a region as heavily forested as Galloway is, where the forestry industry is a significant contributor to the local economy, it really makes sense to give people with an interest in the industry a chance to manage their own woodlands, harvest and sell the timber they produce for themselves.

 

“This is what the woodlot licence allows people to do, so I’m delighted that Scotland’s first woodlot licence is in Galloway and I hope it will be the first of many more to come.”

 

Notes to Editors:

 

The text of Dr McLeod’s motion is below:

 

Motion Number: S4M-07385
Lodged By: Aileen McLeod
Date Lodged: 02/08/2013

Title: Scottish Woodlot Association, a First for Galloway

Motion Text:

That the Parliament notes that a new form of forest tenure has been introduced in Galloway with the establishment of what it understands is Scotland’s first woodlot licence on the Corsewall Estate, near Stranraer; considers that the concept of woodlots as a means of ensuring a diverse forestry sector has been proved over 30 years in British Columbia; acknowledges that promoting a diverse Scottish forestry sector that encourages individuals to become involved in managing woodland for themselves is a positive development for rural Scotland; congratulates the Scottish Woodlot Association in securing the first Scottish woodlot licence, and hopes that this will be the first of many more to come.