Whether potential producers of short rotation coppice (SRC) are at a competitive disadvantage compared with potential producers in England …

Forestry is a devolved issue and the Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme (SFGS) supports priorities contained within the Executive's Scottish Forestry Strategy.The steering group that developed the SFGS felt that, while energy crops and wood fuel were potential areas for future development, in view of the many competing priorities for the forestry grant budget, the short rotation coppice grant rates should not increase.The energy crops scheme in England is entirely separate from the forestry grants system, although it is part of the England rural development plan. It is administered by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Due to the lack of past interest, no similar scheme exists in Scotland.