Chamber and committees

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.

Between November 2008 and January 2009, we carried out a public consultation (Climate Change and the National Forest Estate) that explained there were significant opportunities relating to wider development of the renewable energy potential of the national forest estate and sought views on allowing the Forestry Commissioners to enter into joint ventures, with the intention of participating in renewable energy programmes. There were 368 responses to this question, from a wide range of stakeholders. The analysis of responses is available at:

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/ccbillconsultationanalysis.pdf/$FILE/ccbillconsultationanalysis.pdf.

In addition, between April and June 2008, Forestry Commission Scotland had consulted on its Framework Strategic Plan which stated that, with due regard for community, planning and environmental concerns, Forest Enterprise Scotland would maximise for wind farms and small scale hydro-electricity developments on the national forest estate; There were 105 responses to this consultation, from a wide range of stakeholders. The analysis of responses is available at:

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/FSPConsultationsummaryandanalysis.pdf/$FILE/FSPConsultationsummaryandanalysis.pdf.

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.

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.

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, it is not a legal requirement for snaring training under the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 to be accredited with UKAS.

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.

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.