FOR the eighth time in a little over a decade, the UK has a new environment secretary.
Ranil Jayawardena, a Hampshire MP, has taken over the reins from George Eustice, ending the latter's two year spell in the role; two years in which the country continued to miss its tree-planting targets, causing industry bodies to suggest that could become "the norm".
Here are a few things Mr Jayawardena could do to avoid that worrying future.
1. Keep tree-planting at the front of the government's agenda
The absence of any talk of tree planting or forestry from the relentless number of leadership debates between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak was as striking as it was (sadly) unsurprising.
Listen, we get it. The cost-of-living crisis, the war in Ukraine and several other topics are, of course, much more likely to be at the forefront of the general public's worries than trees.
But, now Ms Truss has the keys to Number 10, the prime minister and her cabinet have to ensure the UK gets back on track in its tree-planting mission.
No one more so than Mr Jayawardena and whoever the minister for forestry turns out to be (at the time of writing, Lord Goldsmith remains in the post).
Although just mentioning forestry would be a good start. So far, Mr Jayawardena's public comments about his new role have focused solely on farming.
There has to be space for forestry too.
2. Cut the red tape over tree-planting planning
As Confor has been at pains to point out for as long as anyone can remember, there is too much red tape over tree planting in the UK.
And on the occasions that tape has been safely navigated, opposition to planting plans often wins over the hearts and minds of local authorities.
Earlier this year when a report - one of several in the last few months - was critical of the UK's tree-planting progress, Stuart Goodall, of Confor, had this to say: "I’ve spoken with a number of applicants who have robust applications, but are frustrated by changes to rules, an apparent unwillingness by the regulator to stand up to any opposition to planting schemes, and a lack of constructive engagement at times by Natural England.
"The minister Zac Goldsmith has to grasp this issue or failure will become the norm."
3. Encourage farmers to plant more trees
If the UK is to ever hit its tree-planting targets (and more on those later), we need as many different industries on side as possible. No one more so than farmers. As anyone who keeps an eye on Forestry Journal social channels will know, this is proving more difficult than we hoped.
While we'd assume there's nothing more agreeable than planting trees for the benefits they bring, others disagree, accusing foresters of destroying good farmland and plunging the UK into various food crises. Crikey.
There are, of course, many exceptions and agroforestry is a blossoming trend. But we need as many farmers as possible helping us to put more trees in the ground.
4. Listen to the industry's different voices
Like any sector, forestry has its different voices. Opinions do differ – we'd need a separate newsletter to get into them all – but everyone is united by the same goal; to plant more trees, sequester carbon and reduce the UK's reliance on timber imports.
There's a reality out there where a forester has a brilliant idea that could be applied to other parts of the country, helping reach those ambitions. It doesn't take too much imagination to picture it.
While we know his time will be pressing, it would do Mr Jayawardena no harm if he can hear as many of those different voices and ideas as possible. He might just stumble upon a golden nugget.
5. Hit Britain's tree-planting targets
The UK does not plant as many trees as it should. This won't be news to many of you.
Since the current British government rose to power and pledged to put 30,000 hectares in the ground each year by the end of the current parliament, we've not even been close.
Forest Research's most recent annual figures showed that fewer than 14,000 ha had been planted across the country, with Scotland making up the vast majority of that. At the time, Mr Jayawardena's predecessor insisted the goal was still achievable – something few in the industry agreed with.
There's still time to prove the naysayers wrong.
This piece is an extract from today’s Forestry Features newsletter, which is emailed out at 4PM every Wednesday with a round-up of the week's top stories.
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