Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of (a) the adequacy of her Department's tree mapping and (b) the implications for her policies of trends in tree planting.

Forest Research undertakes the National Forest Inventory (NFI) exercise. Measurements collected from field surveys are combined with the area and general woodland composition data derived from the NFI woodland map to generate quantitative estimates of known accuracy describing Britain’s ‘current’ woodland structure, composition, condition, biodiversity and social use. It is a rolling programme designed to provide accurate information about the size, distribution, composition and condition of our forests and woodlands and also about the changes taking place in the woodlands through time. It is essential for developing and monitoring the policies and guidance that support the sustainable management of woodland in Great Britain. You can find more information on the Forest Research website at https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/national-forest-inventory/about-the-nfi/

In 2020 an independent panel carried out a review of the NFI. In this review the NFI’s importance was formally confirmed as being essential in both supporting and evidencing policy and investment decisions. The report and Forest Research response is published on their website at https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/national-forest-inventory/nfi-user-review-2020-findings-and-recommendations/

Forestry Commission has also published an opportunity map of low sensitivity for woodland creation which identifies areas which are more likely to be suitable for woodland creation - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/use-the-land-information-search. This is to help people who are interested in planting trees, or investing in woodland creation, identify the best places to do so.

We will also publish a Land Use Framework for England in 2023 which will help us to strike the right balance between different land uses as we deliver on our ambitious targets and commitments to improve the environment, deliver Net Zero and support food security.