England's environment improvement plan: Key forestry points

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EARLIER this week, Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey stood in front of an audience and unveiled England's long-awaited environment improvement plan. 

The measures will include commitments to restore at least 500,000 hectares of wildlife habitat and 400 miles of river. This will see 25 new or expanded national nature reserves created and 3,000 hectares of new woodland along the country's rivers. 

Ms Coffey said ministers would also ensure everyone lives within a 15-minute walk of woodlands, wetlands, parks and rivers. 

Thérèse Coffey (Image: House of Commons)

She said: "We are transforming financial support for farmers and landowners to prioritise improving the environment, we are stepping up on tree planting, we have cleaner air, we have put a spotlight on water quality and rivers and are forcing industry to clean up its act." 

The 262-page document mentions trees 135 times and woodlands 134.

Here are some of the key points for forestry and arb. 

1) It promises to 'address barriers around tree planting' 

An issue which is nothing new to the industry, regulations around tree planting have long since been a major thorn in the sides of anyone trying to help England reach its planting goals. For context, the nation planted just 2,260 hectares in the 12 months prior to March 2022, well below half of its 7,000 ha target. In a bid to address this, the plan pledges to: 

• Work with the forestry sector to increase the amount of productive forestry in England and increase the safe use of timber in construction.
• Improve woodland creation regulation by reducing the time it takes for projects to receive grant funding and regulatory approval.
• Improve regulatory processes to make tree planting a simpler, quicker and more attractive option for land managers on lower productivity land, while retaining strong environmental and biosecurity safeguards.

2) A new interim target for tree-cover will be used to measure progress 

In December, the government pledged to increase tree cover from 14.5 per cent to 16.5 per cent by 2050, a third down on what had originally been suggested (which was still less than the increase demanded by many). The news was widely condemned. 

In the EIP, ministers have provided some more context to the move, and an interim target.

By 2028, they have promised that England's tree cover will increase by 34,000 ha. That's 0.26 per cent, or equivalent to planting 6,800 ha each year - approximately three times what is currently being put in the ground. That's before you consider the net gain is far less when trees lost to recent winter storms are taken into account. 

The plan noted: "The tree canopy and woodland cover target will also play a key role in meeting our species abundance targets, delivering around 20 per cent of the total hectares of new habitat creation and restoration." 

3) Domestic timber a focus

The UK imports 80 per cent of all the wood used in the country. That has to change, and ministers say they are serious about tackling the problem. In the EIP, they wrote: 

"Our timber supports sustainable wood product markets, rural jobs and timber processing sectors. We will encourage greater rates of sustainable woodland management and timber harvesting across England, while supporting natural regeneration and restocking of existing woodlands." 

How will they do this? 

• Finalise development of the Timber in Construction Policy Roadmap
• Work across government to increase demand for sustainable timber products 
• Enhance tree nursery capacity
• Support the skills, technical knowledge to build capability for the future

One noticeable point from this is there doesn't appear to be mention of any new funding. Instead, schemes such as the Seed Sourcing Grant and Routes to Market for Ash Timber Innovation Fund are referenced. 

4) Other key points 

Ministers say they will expand on agroforestry in England (Image: Warren Page)

Urban tree planting, forest road access, and agroforestry are among other items that stand out in the EIP. 

Ministers say they will: 

• Work with local authorities and relevant parties to ensure urban tree planting is well designed, delivers multiple benefits and avoids trade-offs, such as issues for air quality and human health
• Review woodland access, with Defra considering extending access rights and opportunities for cyclists and horse-riders on existing forest roads and estates. 
• Roll-out the agroforestry standard within the Sustainable Farming Incentive in 2024.
• Introduce a new duty on local planning authorities to consult the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities before granting permission for development proposals that will affect ancient woodlands.

5) What have leading figures in the industry said about it? 

The reaction to the plan (you won't be surprised to hear) has been mixed. Let's start with those who welcomed the news. 

In a Defra press release, Sir William Worsley, chair of the Forestry Commission, said: "Trees are at the very heart of this – the Forestry Commission has a key role to play in helping the government achieve the targets laid out in this ambitious blueprint for a greener country and we look forward to doing so." 

In a video posted on her Facebook page, Forestry Minister Trudy Harrison said: "This plan recognises the importance of thriving plants and wildlife to help us adapt to the impacts of climate change and for the benefits of nature. This government is committed to putting a stop to long-term nature decline." 

6) But not everyone is pleased 

From accusations of the plan being "nothing new" to questions over funding, there has been a raft of criticism in the days since it was announced. 

Abi Bunker, the Woodland Trust’s director of conservation and external affairs, welcomed aspects of it, but said: "It’s shy on where funding will come from and crucially Defra appears to be on its own to deliver. Without all government departments bearing responsibility its unlikely we’ll see a pulling together in one direction to meet these challenging targets."