Forestry workers praised by MSPs for contribution to Scottish life

Politicians from across the political spectrum sung the praises of the sector's workforce during a debate on the industry in the Scottish Parliament this week.

Telling of forestry's important influence on life across the nation, MSPs – including environment minister Mairi McAllan – also passed a motion that pledges to deliver Scotland's 10-year forestry strategy and to meet ambitious tree-planting targets.

READ: BrewDog and Gresham House forestry investment comes under fire

An amendment from Labour's Colin Smith saw praise for foresters, operators, researchers and the like enshrined within it. It read: "[The parliament] celebrates the contribution of Scotland’s forestry workers and their trade unions, and recognises the importance of maintaining and increasing a highly-skilled workforce." 

Speaking during the debate, Mr Smith said: "Forestry is a high-risk industry. Every year, workers in it are injured at work – in some cases, they are, sadly, killed, and many more suffer from work-related illness. 

"We should recognise the important role that our unions have played in driving up safety standards for workers, and we should thank those workers who have not only delivered the success story that is Scottish forestry but will continue to do so in the future." 

In a wide-ranging debate, he wasn't alone in praising forestry's "under-appreciated" workforce.

Tory MSP Brian Whittle – who has visited sawmills in the past – said: "Forestry plays a role in everything from house building to preserving wild salmon stocks and, all too often, is under-appreciated and under-recognised.

"Some of our most successful businesses and largest rural employers are related to forestry." 

While Fergus Ewing, whose former Cabinet Secretary portfolio included the industry, added: "All too often, when we think of forestry, we think of lumberjacks and rudimentary physical labour. However, the industry is now one of the most sophisticated engineering industries in the world. 

Fergus Ewing

"If members have visited modern sawmills, as I suspect they have, they will have seen exactly what I mean. Automation is the name of the game, and high investment is necessary to ensure success." 

The parliamentary motion, timed to coincide with COP27 in Egypt, also acknowledged "the essential contribution to net zero that trees, woods and forests make, tackling the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss".

It noted “the importance of growing and maintaining a resilient forest resource to sustain its economic, social and environmental contribution” and welcomed the achievements made in implementing Scotland’s Forestry Strategy 2019-2029.

During the debate, other topics included: 

• The announcement of a review into future grant support for forestry 
• Whether the country is getting the balance right between native and non-native planting 
• Fears from the farming sector over plans to plant more trees
• Criticism of private investment in forestry 

Opening the debate, Ms McAllan said: “The debate is timely, coming just as world leaders are meeting for COP27 to deliver actions for people and the planet.

"Our forests and woodlands are key to these actions as they make multiple and significant contributions to Net Zero and in tackling nature loss, as well as supporting a vibrant forest sector."

Speaking in the wake of the pledge, Stuart Goodall, Confor chief executive, welcomed the move but warned: "Ambition is running ahead of delivery and we need to make sure that we marry them up over the next three years – and not let the gap widen."