A NEW edition of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) has been published this week following a "comprehensive review process".
The UKFS is the technical standard for forestry across the UK, which provides the foundations for sustainable forest management.
The Standard has been updated to "reflect improvements in scientific knowledge, developments in international approaches to forestry, new or amended legislation, and new information about best forestry practice".
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A 12-month transition period is in place to allow guidance to be updated, users to become familiar with the new edition, and draft woodland plans to be finalised.
Rural Affairs Secretary at the Scottish Government, Mairi Gougeon, said: “The new UKFS has been produced with the help of many stakeholders and experts from Scotland and the rest of the UK. I would like to thank them all for their important contributions.”
To support a smooth transition, officials say work will continue with the sector to minimise disruption to businesses, particularly on future plant supply and the range of alternative productive species.
Importantly, the new edition aims to make forests more resilient to a changing climate and the increased risk of pests and diseases so they can continue to deliver multiple benefits.
Forestry Commission chief executive, Richard Stanford, said: “Today’s refresh will continue to support a coordinated, sustainable approach to forestry across our four nations to create forests and woodlands that are resilient to climate change and pests and diseases to help meet net zero ambitions.”
Industry experts and a number of organisations input into the review process, as well as a wide range of independent specialists, leading researchers, and the four forestry authorities across the UK.
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Julie James, the Welsh government minister for climate change, said: “The new standard will help ensure that our vitally important forests will be managed in a way that supports our ambitions around climate change and nature. This will include improved sustainability, resilience and biodiversity in forests that are delivered to the UKFS.”
The new (5th) edition of the UKFS is available on the Forest Research website and provides forest managers best practice guidance to ensure sustainable forest management principles are carried out.
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