Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the trees: the contribution of the forestry and timber sectors to biodiversity and net zero goals
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 637
Published 19 July 2023
Recommendations
10
Rejected
Divide overall tree planting targets into sub-categories for specific goals
Recommendation
In order to give the forestry sector greater clarity, we recommend that following the development of the Land Use Framework, the Government divide its overall tree planting targets into sub-categories for the types of woodland needed to achieve different goals. …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected dividing statutory tree planting targets into sub-categories, citing delivery confidence, but stated a 2028 review would provide an opportunity to reconsider non-statutory sub-targets. They affirmed using policy and incentives to encourage a range of woodland types.
24
Rejected
Para 120
Set realistic long-term target for domestically produced timber, informed by comprehensive land use analysis.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government set a realistic long-term target for the amount of timber to be produced domestically. This target should be informed by: • the analysis being undertaken to produce Defra’s Land Use Framework; • a comprehensive analysis …
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Government Response Summary
The government has rejected setting a specific long-term domestic timber production target, citing challenges due to market factors, but notes its existing woodland cover target. It is, however, working with industry on forecasting, a Timber in Construction Roadmap, and identifying priority species for breeding.