Scottish Government

Introduction

This suite of six Rural Priority options provides support for the sustainable management of existing forests and woodlands of high environmental value. The Regional Priorities that this suite of options can help to deliver are:

• Biodiversity (Priority 8-12)
• Landscape (Priority 13-14)
• Built and Cultural Heritage (Priority 15)
• Water and Soils (Priority 16-20)
• Adaptations to mitigate Climate Change (Priority 21-24)
• Public Access (Priority 25)
• Diversification of Rural Enterprise (Priority 26-30)
• Thriving Rural Communities (Priority 31-32)

The options

RP22501A Sustainable Management of Forests - native woodlands

For woodland areas under active management that require work to maintain or bring them towards a favourable condition

RP22501B Sustainable Management of Forests - LISS

For woodland areas under active management and where it is appropriate to use low-impact silvicultural systems (LISS)

RP22501C Sustainable Management of Forests - Public access

For woodland areas that have a high level of access and recreational use and that require associated environmental management

RP22501D Sustainable Management of Forests - Restructuring felling

For even-aged woodland areas that are to be restructured through tree felling and re-planting.

RP22501E Sustainable Management of Forests - Livestock Removal

For native woodland areas where livestock removal is required to bring the woodland into a favourable condition

RP22501F Sustainable Management of Forests - Woodland Grazing

For native woodland areas where controlled livestock grazing will enhance biodiversity and ecological condition

Funding for Options

You cannot apply for all SMF options on the same area of land. Only some of the options can be funded with each other.

The table below shows which combinations are possible. A cross indicates that the combination is possible; shaded combinations are not possible.

Rates of support

* We will provide support subject to a Review at Year 5