Written Question · S2W-24811 · Session 2
Whether further funding will be made available to the Forestry Commission in order to cover planting grant applications within locational p…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether further funding will be made available to the Forestry Commission in order to cover planting grant applications within locational premium areas during 2006-07.
The answer
Funding has already been includedin the Forestry Commission Scotland budget in respect of grant applications forlocational premium areas, up to the limits announced, for 2006-07 and 2007-08.
The budget allocation for the Scottish Forestry GrantsScheme is limited in the same way as any other grant scheme. It is therefore notpossible to provide an open-ended commitment to meet all applications for the scheme.
Forestry Commission Scotlandis already in discussion with stakeholders on the new forestry grants scheme tofit in with the new Rural Development Regulation, which comes into effect on 1 January2007. As part of the transition arrangements Forestry Commission Scotland had alreadyindicated a closure date of August 2006. Due to unprecedented demand for grant aid,closure for normal applications has now been brought forward to take immediate effect.Applications for grant aid in Locational Premium areas will still be consideredup to August 2006 as originally planned. Forestry Commission Scotland will be issuinga press release later today giving further details.
Forestry continues to contributeacross a wide range of agendas. For its role in relation to climate change we haveprovided a further £6 million which will take the budget for forestry grants to£26 million for 2006-07, and £28 million for 2007-08.
The budget allocation for the Scottish Forestry GrantsScheme is limited in the same way as any other grant scheme. It is therefore notpossible to provide an open-ended commitment to meet all applications for the scheme.
Forestry Commission Scotlandis already in discussion with stakeholders on the new forestry grants scheme tofit in with the new Rural Development Regulation, which comes into effect on 1 January2007. As part of the transition arrangements Forestry Commission Scotland had alreadyindicated a closure date of August 2006. Due to unprecedented demand for grant aid,closure for normal applications has now been brought forward to take immediate effect.Applications for grant aid in Locational Premium areas will still be consideredup to August 2006 as originally planned. Forestry Commission Scotland will be issuinga press release later today giving further details.
Forestry continues to contributeacross a wide range of agendas. For its role in relation to climate change we haveprovided a further £6 million which will take the budget for forestry grants to£26 million for 2006-07, and £28 million for 2007-08.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-24811 by reference.