Records of the Forestry Authority

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English

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Forestry

The Forestry Authority was formally established as a part of the Forestry Commission in April 1992, when the Commission was reorganised, and its regulatory and commercial roles were separated. The Forestry Authority was responsible for implementing the government's forestry policy through advice, incentives and regulation, and for setting forestry standards. In this capacity it had oversight of aspects of the work of the commercial side of the Commission's work, handled by the Forest Enterprise, as well as over woodlands operated by the private sector.

Other objectives included the advancement of understanding and knowledge of forestry and trees, ensuring the best use of timber resources, research, combating forest and tree pests and diseases, and forestry safety and training. The head of the Forestry Authority was a Commissioner with a place on the Board of the Forestry Commission reporting directly to the Director General and Deputy Chairman of the Commission.

The Authority implemented the government's forestry policy within a framework of legislation pre-dating its formation, principally the Forestry Acts 1967 and 1979, the Plant Health Act 1967, the Countryside Act 1968 and the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967. Its support for the expansion of woodlands took the form of the Woodland Grant Scheme, which it administered, and providing advice to woodland owners. Felling of trees was controlled to encourage appropriate management, and Authority staff in the regional conservancies enforced regulations to help prevent the spread of foreign pests and diseases of trees. The Authority also had a role in developing the market for forest products.

Two divisions of the Authority operated at the Headquarters in Edinburgh. These were Forestry Practice Division, which operated an advice service, and dealt with questions relating to health and safety for forestry workers, wildlife, water, recreation and landscaping in woodlands, archaeology, and was also responsible for providing educational and training material and courses, both for foresters and other interested parties.

A Grants and Licences Division operated the Woodland Grant Scheme, conducted environmental assessments, and implemented plant health regulations, as well as issuing felling licences. The Commission's Research Division also became part of the Forestry Authority. This was, however, a short-lived arrangement: the Research Division (as well as the Technical Branch of the Forestry Practice Division) being reorganised as a Research, Development and Surveys Group reporting directly to the Director General in October 1995.

Implementation of the Authority's policies is done through a regional organisation of national offices and a series of Conservancies.

The Forestry Authority has its own regional organisation. Forestry Authority national offices are located at Cambridge, Aberystwyth and Glasgow, each headed by a chief conservator. Beneath them are established twenty conservancies.