Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Paragraph: 38
While we acknowledge and respect the fact that environmental and planning policy are devolved competencies,...
Recommendation
While we acknowledge and respect the fact that environmental and planning policy are devolved competencies, we strongly encourage the Welsh Government to reassess whether it currently has sufficiently strong safeguards in place for its tree planting schemes. In particular, we draw their attention to the Woodland Trust’s call for a requirement that companies investing in carbon woodland offsets have a substantial and credible emission reductions programme in place and are not using offsetting schemes to avoid reducing emissions. Furthermore, we call on the Welsh and UK governments to improve the transparency and regulation of carbon offset schemes which in effect create a change of land use. For example, greater transparency may be achieved by the creation of a register of carbon offset schemes so that the extent of this problem can be monitored.
Paragraph Reference:
38
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The UK Government has launched a Lump Sum Exit Scheme for farmers in England. Evidence indicates that some farmers who wish to retire or leave the industry can find it difficult to do so and that lack of finance can be one of the barriers to exit. The Lump Sum Exit Scheme could help such farmers leave the industry in a planned way. By freeing up 6 The economic and cultural impacts of trade and environmental policy on family farms in Wales: Government response land, the scheme will also open up opportunities for new entrants and those farmers who wish to expand. The UK Government will share information about the operation of the scheme with the Welsh Government as the scheme progresses.