We did it!  With your support by signing this petition we asked Forestry and Land Scotland for a consultation extension, and we have got it! 

A massive Thank you to all of you that have signed. 

How did we do it?

Through the combined efforts of the local residents and all of you that signed, we were able to gather support of local Councillors, MSPs and team up with conservation groups to put pressure on those that make the decisions. 

That's Great, but what does it mean in reality? 

From now, a fourteen day extension period will run and close on 4th July 2025.

This is probably the most important bit and we still need your help!!

Local residents, businesses and concerned visitors, members of conservation groups and any other interested party can voice their concerns and have them formally logged in the consultation process.

This means that issues have to be considered before Scottish Forestry make a final decision to approve or reject the Strathyre Larch removal Plans. 

How do I do that?  

You can log your concerns about the Strathyre Larch removal plan and make any suggestions by emailing to

panda.cons@forestry.gov.scot

And ask them to

1. Challenge the government policy on their 'one size fits all' approach to managing spread of Phytophthora ramorum. (An algae like organism that attacks and kills trees and plants including Larch). 

•  Phytophthora Ramorum spores are spread and carried by already infected plants carried on the wind footwear, bicycle tires and animals and birds.  The apore can remain in soil for up to five years. So by removing all larch including healthy uninfected ones the hope is it will slow or stop the spread. But it infects other trees and plants and there is no guarantee that by removing Larch it will work. There is also a chance Larch could recover. Nature can be remarkably resilient!

2. prepare a full Environmental assessment impact of the removal of all Larch trees to habitat and wildlife. Plus is how do they know it won't start to attack other tree species more widely of all Larch is gone?

3. Prepare a full and thorough impact assessment to the removal of continuous canopy cover that Red squirrels, pine martens and raptors, like Goshawks rely on. 

4. Provide a thorough impact assessment of all water course ways within planned felling and thinning coupes.  Water runoff management, private drinking water sources to village,  river contamination prevention and flood risk are all  huge concerns to local residents 

5. Carry out a detailed financial impact and tourism assessment to businesses in the Strathyre and surrounding areas.   To provide a mitigation plan to minimize potential financial loss and disruption of access rights of way and national walking and cycle routes that these businesses rely on being accessible for customers. 

What's next?

Although we have won this first victory this is just the start of a long journey for all of us, mainly those in Strathyre! 

We need to ensure that whatever happens next the impact to our community, beautiful forest, it's much loved wildlife and future forest habitat is managed sustainably and with environment, not cost, at its primary goal. 

I urge you all again to email panda.cons@forestry.gov.uk about the 5 key things above. 

Thank you again for supporting this cause.We will keep you posted!

Residents of Strathyre