Seòmar agus comataidhean

a) The estimated percentage of commercial forestry operations that have taken place in known red squirrel habitat:

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) take the protection of priority species within our woodlands, such as red squirrels, very seriously, and when appropriate conduct our operations out with the Red Squirrel breeding season to avoid any disturbance.

Forestry and Land Scotland take into account the survey, forest design and operational planning practices set out in Guidance note 33: Forest operations and red squirrels in Scottish forests published by Scottish Forestry to ensure that red squirrel habitat remains connected, and populations maintain long-term viability.

We have rigorous planning systems, checks and procedures with accompanying guidance in place to ensure all regulations to protect species are followed. Our work plan process and site survey methodology ensure that these procedures are followed and appropriate mitigation action taken where necessary.

We adhere to the industry guidance set by the Scottish Government forestry regulator, Scottish Forestry, and where necessary apply for and follow the species licencing process regulated by NatureScot. In the latter case we are recognised as a trusted and competent land manager and have an agreed licencing process in place that reflects that recognition.

Where possible trees with dreys are marked and retained on site during thinning operations, but locating all active dreys has been shown to be impracticable. Recent studies have shown that red squirrel use several dreys in any territory, readily move when operations begin in a woodland, and can build a new drey within a short period of time.

Machine operators are instructed to be alert for drey structures and to delay felling trees with suspected dreys. Machine operators are to contact the FLS Environment Forester or Ranger if a suspected drey structure is identified.

Where practicable FLS maintain the connectivity with adjacent mature crops as long as possible during the operation and plan the direction of operations such that squirrels can disperse into adjacent crops. At a landscape level FLS retain the richest red squirrel habitat, encourage the establishment of a range of seed bearing tree species and ages, but avoid planting of large-seeded broadleaves within strongholds to prevent conferring a competitive benefit on grey squirrels.

In stands where large-scale felling for the management of tree diseases is required longer-term retention of tree species unaffected by disease is designed where possible into the stand. All stands are managed under the principles of sustainable forest management and regulated by Scottish Forestry through the UK Forestry Standard.

A recent study published in Forest Ecology and Management show that red squirrel breeding activity continued with no detectable impact of forest operations. Red squirrel population density was also higher after thinning operations. Both are indications that UKFS compliant woodland management is overall beneficial in medium to long term for red squirrel populations.

Expert ecological opinion and anecdotal evidence from management operations by FLS estimate the number of kits killed will be significantly smaller than the theoretical maximum presented. This hypothetical maximum estimate assumes worst case scenario is all assumptions. In all years the proportion is always less than 3% of the estimated population of kits in known red squirrel habitat.

We are currently considering whether or not to retain snaring as a land management tool in Scotland. If it is decided we will not retain snaring, we will bring forward provisions to that effect alongside a short public consultation document in time for stage 2 of the wildlife management and muirburn bill.

Scotland’s national forests and land are important habitats for many species. For example, Scottish crossbills, goshawks and large populations of songbirds and woodpeckers all use Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) plantations. In advance of any tree harvesting operation, an environmental survey is carried out by qualified FLS environment staff. Any active nests are marked on operational maps and mitigation is deployed. Typically, this involves an alteration to the timing of the operation, or the demarcation of a buffer around a nest, wherein no work can be carried out during the nesting period. Furthermore, during harvesting operations, machine operators and site managers remain vigilant, and any additional nests are protected in the same way. Nest of birds listed on Schedule A1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) are protected and retained.

To inform all this work, FLS liaises with stakeholders on an ongoing basis. For example, FLS environment staff have strong links with local Raptor Study Groups (a good number of FLS staff are members), and FLS is a partner in the Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme. Invaluable information on raptors is therefore shared freely and raptors are very effectively protected. FLS also works closely with a range of other stakeholders, on a range of other bird species – from nightjars and wood sandpipers to black grouse and capercaillie. Managed plantations are crucial for the forestry sector yet are overwhelming beneficial for woodland birds in Scotland. This is something to celebrate.

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has the following plans in place to facilitate the licensed management of species on Scotland’s national forests and land in order to carry out their functions:

A. No.

B. Yes. Where necessary, FLS will work under Licence No. 222884.

C. At present FLS have management plans in place for three other protected woodland fauna (Badgers) for the 2023 breeding season.

There are no records of adult squirrels being killed by forest operations on Scotland's national forests and land.

The estimated number of squirrels disturbed during the breeding season by forest operations on Scotland's national forests and land is as follows:

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) take the protection of (a) raptors, (b) red squirrels and (c) other protected woodland fauna within our woodlands very seriously, and when appropriate conduct our operations outwith their breeding seasons to avoid disturbance.

FLS adhere to the industry guidance set by the Scottish Government forestry regulator, Scottish Forestry, and where necessary apply for and follow the species licencing process regulated by NatureScot.

FLS have rigorous planning systems, checks and procedures with accompanying guidance to ensure all regulations and licence requirements to protect species are followed.

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) take the protection of priority species within our woodlands, such as red squirrels, very seriously, and when appropriate conduct their operations out with the Red Squirrel breeding season to avoid disturbance.

FLS adhere to the industry guidance set by the Scottish Government forestry regulator, Scottish Forestry, and where necessary apply for and follow the species licencing process regulated by NatureScot. They are recognised as a trusted and competent land manager and have an agreed licencing process in place that reflects that recognition.

FLS have rigorous planning systems, checks and procedures with accompanying guidance to ensure all regulations and licence requirements to protect species are followed.

The Scottish Government recognises the findings that have been highlighted within the Disability Price Tag 2023 report, that disabled people have been disproportionately impacted by the current cost-of-living crisis.

One of the First Minister’s first acts upon taking office was to increase the budget for our Fuel Insecurity Fund to £30 million for 2023-24 to ensure support is available to households who would otherwise be at risk of self-rationing their energy use, or self-disconnecting entirely. Assistance is provided on the basis of a holistic assessment of individuals’ circumstances, which can include increased energy usage arising from the need to run essential medical devices.

The Scottish Government provide a range of disability benefits to help disabled people and those with long-term conditions. These benefits provide financial support to disabled people to mitigate the additional costs of living with a disability or health condition. In recognition of the cost crisis, all Scottish Government social security benefits were increased by 10.1% in April, except for Scottish Child Payment, which was uprated early, with an investment of around £430 million. This uprating is in line with inflation as measured by the Consumer Prices Index.