Moray MP Douglas Ross has urged the SNP-Green government to re-think their “wholly misguided” plans to cut funding for tree planting.
Douglas’ call comes after he met with local nursery owner Ronald Christie in Fochabers on Wednesday who has described the planned cuts as “an absolute shocker”.
Mr Christie has also warned that he fears many of the trees on his nursery will have to be destroyed as a result of the budget being cut from £77.2million to £45.4million by ministers in December.
Douglas says that the cuts will “deeply harm” the industry which is “crucial” to rural communities like Moray and also setback efforts to hit ambitious net zero targets.
He says the meeting with Ronald Christie was “positive and constructive” and that the nursery owner of the firm which has operated for 200 years left him in “no doubt” as to the impact the cuts from the SNP-Green government will have on the firm going forward.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “These planned cuts from SNP-Green ministers are wholly misguided and ministers must urgently re-think them.
“I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Ronald Christie in Fochabers and discuss this crucial issue. He has rightly made his feelings known about what these substantial cuts will mean for his firm and the forestry sector.
“If minsters go ahead with these cuts, they will deeply harm an industry which is so crucial in rural communities like Moray. Christie’s has operated for 200 years and is an important local employer as well as being highly regarded for the quality the nursery produces for plantations across the country.
“It was shocking to hear about how many trees would have to be destroyed by Christie’s due to SNP-Green ministers financial mismanagement.
“The meeting with Ronald was positive and constructive and I’m grateful to him for taking the time to discuss his major concerns with me. He left me in no doubt as to what these cuts will mean for his firm and how they will impact on our ability to hit net zero targets. Following this meeting I have written to Scottish Government Ministers echoing the concerns that have been raised by so many.
“Ministers must listen to Ronald and others who will be impacted by these proposed cuts and ensure that this industry is properly supported going forward.”