A study commissioned by Confor demontrates the economic value generated through forestry in comparison with upland sheep farming.

The study, which was carried out by SAC on behalf of Confor, makes a specific economic comparison between an established productive conifer forest at Eskdalemuir and agriculture on an equivalent area of land.

Whilst the analysis may not be typical of other parts of Scotland, the study showed that once in a sustainable production cycle, forestry generates around three times the economic output of hill sheep farming before subsidy payment. Forestry also results in almost double the level of spending in the local economy as agriculture.

You can read the full report here

Eskdalemuir