Correspondence

eAlert: 27 May 2022

Published 6 June 2022

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

1. Updates to the England Woodland Creation Offer - coming soon

1.1 Maximising benefits for nature recovery and implementing a new Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot

The England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) launched in June 2021, and it recognises the social and environmental benefits of woodlands. It offers financial incentives to help land managers and farmers plant the right tree, in the right place, for the right reason. As EWCO enters into its second year, we are focused on improving these benefits and streamlining delivery of the scheme. This is why we will be making the following changes.

1.2 Updates to the England Woodland Creation Offer - coming soon

• Maximising the benefits of the Nature Recovery Additional Contribution increasing species and structural diversity in new native woodlands

• Implementing a New Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot preventing the introduction and spread of non-native pests and diseases

1.3 Maximising benefits for nature recovery in the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)

From June 2022 the design requirements for eligibility for the EWCO Nature Recovery Additional Contribution will change. This will apply to both the lower and higher rates for native woodland creation, not the creation of woodland for red squirrel.

The updated requirements will provide greater benefits for nature recovery by increasing species and structural diversity, they include:

• Minimum 80% native species (excluding naturalised, advancing/honorary species)
• Minimum five native species, with a maximum of 50% allocated to a single species
• Must include 30% shrubs and small trees (no range)
• Minimum 1,600 stems per hectare
• Minimum 10% open ground for schemes under 5 hectares and 20% for schemes over 5 hectares (with some flexibility at the FC’s discretion)

If you are already working on a EWCO application which includes the ‘Nature Recovery Additional Contribution’ and would like to discuss your application, please send enquiries to EWCOenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

1.4 Implementing the Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot

From June 2022, applicants for funding under the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) and the Tree Health Pilot must commit to sourcing their trees from suppliers who can demonstrate that they meet the requirements set out within the Plant Health Management Standard. Suppliers can do this either by being Plant Healthy Certified (or having formally applied to the certification scheme) or by providing evidence that the stock they are supplying has passed a Ready to Plant assessment, conducted by Fera Science Ltd.

1.5 Why does tree health and better biosecurity matter?

Healthy plants and trees benefit us all, which is why it is so important that we work together to look after our trees, woodlands, and forests. Biosecurity refers to the precautions we can take that help to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful organisms. For plants and trees, these can include non-native pests, such as insects, and disease-causing organisms called pathogens, such as some viruses, bacteria and fungi. The impact these pose is enormous. Ash dieback alone is predicted to kill anywhere up to 100 million trees, costing the economy up to £15bn over the coming decades. Introducing the Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot now will address these risks to our biosecurity, minimise the net loss to our existing treescape, and serve to realise our long-term vision for our trees and woodlands.

1.6 What does this mean for land managers planting trees through EWCO or the Tree Health Pilot?

To be eligible for a EWCO or Tree Health Pilot restocking grant, for all applications received from June 2022, grant applicants will be asked to sign a declaration at point of application stating that they will use a supplier who is either Plant Healthy certified (or who has officially applied to become certified) or who will provide a valid Ready to Plant assessment reference for the stock supplied. Suppliers will need to provide the grant recipient with evidence of this at the point at which they supply the trees. The grant applicant may be asked to provide this evidence at point of grant claim. Grant recipients do not have to stick with the supplier they named at point of application, but if the grant recipient decides to change supplier, they will need to find another who meets the required criteria. If you are a supplier of trees, read our recent blog to find out more about what you need to do ahead of the new pilot launching.

Please send EWCO enquiries to EWCOenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

Please send Tree Health Pilot queries to thpilotenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

1.7 Evidence to Support England Woodland Creation Offer Claims

Find out about the changes to our evidence requirements.

We have reviewed the evidence required to support EWCO claims for capital items. You must submit evidence of expenditure to support claims for infrastructure.

With immediate effect, claimants no longer need to submit evidence of expenditure to support claims for Standard Cost Capital Items. However, you must provide this if we ask you to. To support this, you must retain any evidence of expenditure or declaration confirming why this is not available until your obligations under the EWCO Agreement expire. If you do not have evidence of expenditure, such as receipted invoices, you must provide a signed declaration explaining why this is not available – a form for this is available on request from ewco@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

To help ease the challenges around the procurement of materials, if a grant agreement is ultimately put in place, we will also ordinarily accept claims for capital items purchased prior to the Agreement Commencement Date. This allowance does not extend to any work being carried out onsite, including the planting of any pre-ordered trees: we will reject claims and we will not pay for any work carried out (in part or full) before the Agreement Commencement Date. Whilst applicants are encouraged to plan for grant activities, any final ordering and payment of materials prior to the Agreement Commencement Date is done so at the sole risk of the applicant and Forestry Commission will not accept liability for these items.

1.8 Make sure your payment details are up to date

If you are ready to submit an England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) claim, please ensure your bank details are up to date with the Rural Payments Agency. This will prevent your payment being held or delayed. You can contact the Rural Payments Agency helpline on 03000 200 301 to enter your details in the system. Please note there will be an automatic 10 day hold whilst any new account details are verified.

2. Latest Future Farming Productivity and Innovation grants from Defra

On Monday 23 May, Defra and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) opened applications for the second round of the Research Started projects within the Industry-led R&D Partnership Fund (part of the Farming Innovation Programme).

This £1 million competition aims to provide an entry point for farmers, foresters and growers that have bold, ambitious, early-stage ideas solving major problems that impact their business. The application window for expressions of interest will close on 6th July 2022. These projects are for farmers, foresters and growers based in England. Read Defra’s latest blog post for more information on this fund.

Also on Monday, Defra released further details on the Adding Value grant, the third theme within the Farming Transformation Fund (part of the Farming Investment Fund). 

This £30 million fund will offer grants supporting farmers and growers to process, diversify and add value to their products. The grants awarded through Adding Value will pay for capital items to enable farmers and growers to add value to eligible agricultural products, after they’ve been harvested or reared.  Applications will open in June and a press notice will be issued then.

More information is available on the Defra dedicated blog post and full guidance document on GOV.UK.

2.1 Find out more:

The Defra Farming Investment Fund and the Farming Innovation Programme policy teams are hosting a webinar together, open to everyone who wish to learn more about the latest innovation and productivity funding opportunities. The teams will be on hand to answer questions.

Sign up for the event on Tue 31 May 2022 at 11:00..

3. Tree health pilot

3.1 Find out about some updates made to the pilot

There have been some updates to the tree health pilot scheme that we wanted to make you aware of:

• the maintenance rate has changed from £200 to £300 for Woodland Restocking
• a new Expression of Interest (EOI) form has been uploaded to GOV.UK please use this from now on
• please submit an EOI even if you are not in the target areas within the South East & London and North West and West Midlands, we will continue to prioritise the target areas within the eligible regions however if you are withing the London and North West and West Midlands, or South East & London but do not fall within the target area we will be able to consider you for an application and you may be eligible for an agreement
• applications for grants for larch trees, you can apply as an individual or as a group for grants for larch trees with Phytophthora ramorum in woodlands (more than 0.5ha).If you own a group of larch trees (less than 0.5ha) infected with Phytophthora ramorum, you can apply as part of a group application. The total area of the larch trees in the group must be 0.5ha or larger
   
  You can find more information on GOV.UK: Tree health pilot scheme, if you have any queries please contact our mailbox: thpilotenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

4. Local Authority Treescapes Fund and the Urban Tree Challenge Fund application deadline

Applications close on Tuesday 31 May 2022
 
Applications for the Local Authority Treescapes Fund and the Urban Tree Challenge Fund close at 23:59 Tuesday 31 May.

For the Local Authority Treescapes Fund the application forms on GOV.UK have been updated to address the following issues: 

• SBI number and CRN number boxes included (this is a new requirement this year and will be needed at application stage)
• the form states the correct year 22/23 instead of 21/22 (please ensure you are using the latest copy)
• there has been an update to the privacy notice (please take your time to digest this information) 
   
  If you have any problems completing the form, please contact our mailbox: LATF@forestrycomission.gov.uk.

5. Keepers of Time – our refreshed policy has been published!

5.1 Read our policy on native ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees

Today the refreshed Keepers of Time policy document on ancient and native woodland and ancient and veteran trees has been published today.

England’s ancient woodlands and ancient and veteran trees are a special part of our history and legacy, they are the jewels in the crown of England’s treescape, not only that they are home to some of the best examples of ancient woodlands, ancient wood pastures and parkland and ancient and veteran trees!

5.2 Why are we updating the policy?

In the England Trees Action Plan the Government committed to review and update Keepers of Time, using the latest evidence and information available, focussing on the most important issues faced today.
This policy provides an overarching framework for policy makers to protect and improve ancient and native woodland and ancient and veteran trees which will be delivered through other current and future policy.

5.3 What have we updated?

The key updated include:

• a hierarchy of value to illustrate the different values associated with ancient and native woodland and ancient and veteran trees
• refreshing the policy principles and strategic objectives including greater reference to resilience from climate change, pests and disease to ensure these habitats are protected from these threats in future
• including greater reference to ancient and veteran trees and ancient wood pasture and parkland. This highlights their importance as irreplaceable habitat alongside ancient semi-natural woodland and plantations on ancient woodland sites
• introducing a new category of Long Established Woodland - woodland that has been present since 1893 - recognising their important ecological and societal value. We will consult on the protections these woodlands are afforded in the planning system.

There is also a series of actions that government is taking to better protect and improve our ancient and native woodlands and trees over the coming years.

5.4 Working with our partners

This Forestry Commission led the review involved us working with partners, stakeholders and policy makers from other government departments including Defra and Natural England, engaging closely with others outside government like the Woodland Trust. Using our combined expert knowledge to produce a revised document reflecting the latest evidence that is as relevant now as it was when it was first published in 2005.

You can read more about the launch of the revised Keepers of Time policy in our Blog.

6. Sign up to the Tree Production Capital Grant webinar

6.1 On Wednesday 8 June, the Forestry Commission will be hosting a webinar on the new Tree Production Capital Grant.

 
Sign up now to find out about the grant and ask questions about the application process.

Sign up here
 
The new funding will help tree nurseries and suppliers invest in projects which improve, expand, automate or mechanise their operations. This will support efforts to build nursery capacity and grow long-term tree seed and sapling supply – delivering on a commitment within the England Trees Action Plan, the Government’s long-term plan for the nation’s trees, woodlands and forests.  
 
Successful projects will be awarded up to £175,000 in grant funding to cover up to 50% of costs, with money coming from the Tree Production Capital Grant as part of the Government’s £750 million Nature for Climate Fund. Example projects suitable for funding could include investments in machinery such as transplanting systems and grading machines, improved polytunnel infrastructure and irrigation systems, or in biosecurity through improved water treatment and refrigeration equipment. The grant is open to tree seed and sapling suppliers of all sizes, as well as new entrants looking to diversify into the sector.
 
Up to £8.8 million is available through the Tree Production Capital Grant, subject to sufficient high-quality bids being received. The fund will enable suppliers to bolster production at pace and has been designed to complement the Tree Production Innovation Fund, which provides support for research projects that enhance tree production methods. 
 
The Tree Production Capital Grant is now open for applications until Thursday 30 June. For more information and to apply, go to: www.gov.uk/guidance/tree-production-capital-grant.

7. Watch our new animation explaining how woods can benefit water

Planting the right tree in the right place can help manage flooding, improve water quality, support aquatic habitats, and more. Get support, advice, and grants through the England Woodland Creation Offer.

How woods can benefit water