WIREDGOV

Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans has announced that a second Expression of Interest (EoI) window in the Glastir Woodland Restoration scheme will open on the 19th of October and close at midnight on the 13th of November 2015.

Glastir Woodland Restoration supports re-planting of woodland where ramorum disease of larch has become a threat.

Glastir Woodland Restoration, which first opened in the summer has already received 40 applications during the round of expressions of interest.  It is aimed at achieving continued sustainable forest management, and increased resilience in woodland affected by Phytophthora ramorum.  This Expression of Interest window is targeting areas where re-planting can be completed by 31 March 2016.

Rebecca Evans said,

“I can confirm that we will run another short expression of interest window for Glastir Woodland Restoration for woodlands where the replanting can be completed by 31 March.

“Although P ramorum continues to have a significant impact on larch in Wales, the action taken under the Welsh Government disease management strategy to focus resources on felling infected trees on the edge of the diseased area has led to a significant reduction in its rate of spread. Natural Resources Wales has issued over 600 Statutory Plant Health Notices covering over 9,100 hectares (or 37% of all larch).

“It is really important that when replanting larch woodland, we get the right tree in the right place for the right reason, to increase the resilience of the woodland to climate change and future disease threats.  That is why we require woodland owners applying to the scheme to prepare a forest management plan drawn up by a listed Forest Management Planner with professional qualifications and is consistent with the UK Forestry Standard which is the benchmark for sustainable forest management.

“I’m pleased that our approach to planning for woodlands has been welcomed by professional bodies and I would like to thank them for helping us to ensure high standards are met.

“The Glastir Woodland Restoration EoI must be submitted through RPW Online.  If you are not yet registered with RPW Online and do not have an activation code please call the Customer Contact Centre on 0300 062 5004 as soon as possible.”

Further details are available at: www.wales.gov.uk/glastir