A SELECT committee has called on the Government to introduce a "one stop shop" for forestry grants to boost woodland creation in England.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee says the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) is "not fit for purpose" and that the grant application process is "torturous" and "overly complex".

Three organisations are involved in administering the CSS, and MPs say poor administration of the grant system is a barrier to woodland planting – less than 700 hectares of woodland was created in England in 2015-16

In a raft of recommendations, the committee's report – Forestry in England: Seeing the wood for the trees – also wants the Government to:

1 incorporate a UK timber-first approach into English housing procurement policy – the UK is currently the third largest importer of timber in the world, behind only Japan and China;

2 introduce incentives to encourage 50:50 mixed planting of softwoods and hardwoods.

The committee said ancient woodland is not adequately protected in the planning system and is concerned about the rate at which it is disappearing.

Neil Parish, committee chairman, said: "The period between now and the UK leaving the European Union is a golden opportunity for the Government to rethink the delivery of forestry grants and for it to prepare to reintroduce a one-stop shop for forestry grants.

"The Government and Defra Ministers must use the Article 50 negotiating period to provide the sector with reassurance that it is championing its needs in discussions on big policy issues such as Brexit, the industrial strategy and housebuilding. Forestry must not be forgotten in a future British Agricultural Policy.

"Research is a key component of tree pest and disease management. The UK's exit from the European Union must not act as a barrier to tackling diseases that affect trees. This research must be adequately funded."

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) welcomed the report.

Mike Seville, CLA forestry adviser, said: "We are pleased to see that the Committee has added its voice to ours in calling for the streamlining of funding bodies for forestry, and that it has recognised the importance of forestry to the economy and environment, as on a level with agriculture.

"We support the Committee’s view that a single administrative body would be better able to ensure that woodland across England is managed to the UK Forestry Standard."