The Scottish Government will streamline the process for forestry grant payments in a move to encourage more small scale landowners to take up grants.
The measures are designed to provide more 'stability and simplicity' for the forestry and farming sectors, according to Rural Economy Secretary, Fergus Ewing.
He also announced a review into the Forestry Grant Scheme to enable small landowners to have more access to support to plant trees and create woodland.
The Forestry Commission Scotland Customer Reps Group, which involves key forestry interests, will explore ways to boost uptake grants to encourage small scale woodlands.
Mr Ewing said: “We may not have the certainty nor clarity we need about what our future holds. Yet, I am determined to ensure that we make the future happen and the plan I have developed for the next five years seeks to provide as much stability as we can provide, particularly for forestry which is a long term investment.
“Beyond 2021, we will maintain the current landscape of schemes, including the forestry grant scheme, but with changes to simplify them.
“So I have announced two new initiatives today to review the current process for forestry grant applications in order to streamline and simplify them and also to review the Forestry Grant Scheme to enable more small landowners more access to support to plant trees and create woodland,” he said.
