All renewable energy developments on the national forest estate will require planning approval by the local authority or (for wind farms in excess of 50 megawatts) consent from Scottish ministers under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. As a part of these processes, all developments on the national forest estate will be subject to the strategic framework set out in Scotland’s National Planning Framework (NPF2) and Scottish Planning Policy (SPP). SPP explains that development plans prepared by planning authorities should provide a clear indication of the potential for development of wind farms of all scales, and should set out criteria to be considered in deciding applications, including cumulative impact.

As part of its recent competitive negotiation process, aimed at identifying development partners for renewable energy, Forestry Commission Scotland has reached agreements that will allow communities to take an equity share in these wind and hydro-power developments on the national forest estate. In addition, communities wishing to develop projects themselves may apply, through the National Forest Land Scheme, for land that is not under option or extended exclusivity with developers. Further information is available at:

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/forestry.nsf/byunique/infd-8f2ez7.

This site includes a map showing opportunities for hydro-power development and a similar map for wind-related opportunities will be published in due course.

At the site level, compensatory planting required by local authorities or (in the case of consents under the Electricity Act 1989) Scottish Ministers should be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the UK Forestry Standard and its associated environmental guidelines. While all tree planting is potentially subject to environmental impact assessment, the environmental impacts of compensatory planting may also be considered during environmental assessments of individual wind power developments. At the cumulative level, compensatory planning should help deliver the Scottish Forestry Strategy (2006), which was subject to strategic environmental assessment.

No strategic environmental assessment is required for the programme of wind energy development on the national forest estate as it forms part of our overall programme for developing opportunities for onshore wind and hydro power. This programme is set out in the 2020 Routemap for Renewable Energy in Scotland, which is subject to strategic environmental assessment.

In line with guidance from Scottish Natural Heritage, individual potential renewable energy developments on the national forest estate will be screened in relation to the Habitats Regulations to determine whether there could be an effect upon any Natura site (nature site of European importance), and whether an appropriate assessment should be carried out.

The Scottish Government will consider the findings of the report, Determining the Extent of Use and Humaneness of Snares in England and Wales by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when it is published. At present we have no plans to review the regulations on snaring in Scotland before 2016.

No, snaring training providers offering training are not required to be accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). The British Association for Shooting and Conservation, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Scottish Gamekeepers Association are considered by the Scottish Government to have the necessary knowledge and expertise in a Scottish context to carry out training in the setting of snares, without the need to seek additional accreditation by UKAS.

No, it is not a legal requirement for snaring training under the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 to be accredited with UKAS.

The Order which will set out the requirements for the snaring training course, as required under the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011, has not yet been made. However, The Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has reviewed the animal welfare aspects of the snaring training courses that currently are being run.