A new report which aims to ensure the Scottish bioenergy sector develops its full potential was today (Wednesday 9 January) presented to Environment Minister Michael Russell for his consideration.

The Woodfuel Task Force was launched in June 2007 with the aim of increasing the supply of wood for renewable energy production.

The report - 'Increasing the supply of wood for renewable energy production in Scotland' - contains 26 recommendations which aim to boost bioenergy in Scotland and play a major part in helping the Scottish Government to achieve its ambitious renewable energy targets.

The Minister will now consider all the recommendations in the report and will set up a working group to oversee and monitor the implementation.

Key recommendations include:

• the development of a new branch wood and brash recovery grant to help to encourage growers to bring this material to market, and to do more thinning in their forests and woodlands;
• a commitment to sustaining a range of supply-chain capital grants and access and timber transport grants for the next three to five years. This would include the continuation of the Scottish Timber Transport Fund and a variety of biomass support mechanisms, in conjunction with rural development contracts;
• encouraging the commercial and industrial waste producing sector to improve source segregation to maximise the availability of clean wood and increase awareness of opportunities to avoid landfill tax

Mr Russell said:

"In August, I challenged the Task Force to act as the catalyst to turn the potential of biomass into reality. I warmly welcome the report which will help identify the scale of the resource available and address any problem issues with bringing it to market. I will give all the recommendations full consideration.

"By combining the range of different resources that are available, the potential for the biomass energy sector has been increased and the amount of suitable material currently going to landfill should be reduced significantly.

"Implementing the recommendations will require patience and resolve, but if we can get industry to work together in the same way the task force members have done in producing the report, then the future for the biomass energy sector will be bright, profitable, and a major component of new rural job creation and business development.”

The Task Force has identified some seven million dry tonnes of new material suitable for use by the bioenergy sector, from a wide range of sources. These include:

• established forests and woodlands;
• short rotation coppice and short rotation forestry;
• recycled arboricultural arisings and waste wood.

For a copy of the report, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-7APFXA 

Notes to editors:
1. The Woodfuel Task Force consists of:
Simon Hodge, Chair, Forestry Commission Scotland
Roger Coppock, Secretary, Forestry Commission Scotland
Jamie Farquhar, ConFor
David Sulman, UKFPA
Jonathan Hall, NFU Scotland
Keith Arbuthnott, SRPBA
Jason Ormiston, Scottish Renewables
Peter Whitfield, UPM Tilhill
Andy Wiseman, Buccleuch Estates
Richard Palmer, A W Jenkinson
Willie McGhee, Greenergy Bioenergy Ltd
Les Bryson, FES
Sue Kearns, ETLLD
Julian Bell, SAC
John Ferguson, SEPA
John Risby, FCS
Rob Pedersen, Dundee City Council
Bruce Laird, Scottish Biofuels
George Webb, Norbord Ltd
Ron Vass, SEERAD
Simon Stockwell, Waste Strategy, SEERAD
2. Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Government's forestry department. It manages 666,000 hectares of national forest land for multiple benefits, including nature conservation, public recreation, timber production, and rural and community development; supports other woodland owners with grants, felling licences, advice and regulation; promotes the benefits of forests and forestry; and advises Ministers on forestry policy. For further information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland.

Media Enquiries:
Claire Martin, Forestry Commission Scotland press office, tel: 0131 314 6506.