How does the forestry commission pay for its existence in Scotland?

Answer 1

The question should be, how does the public pay for it's existence! It's a public responsibility to pay for forests as left to market forces without enforcement of forest legislation the free market would deforest the entire country. In fact it virtually did by the early 20th century. Only when the FC was created in 1919 did forest cover increase. Without public funding how else can a developed country encourage developing countries to sustainably manage their forests? But, here's the twist. The FC in Scotland also provides a lot of support to the private forest sector via grants, regulation and research. Unlike most public sector organisations, the FC manages and raises most of it's running costs via timber sales (and to a lesser extent recreational activities), which also supports a growing private timber sector. The FC estate is also a refuge for wildlife, that is often persecuted elsewhere. The nett running cost to the public is less than the cost of a village road bypass. So is it good value for money? I'll leave you to decide.

Answer 2

The Forestry Commission in Scotland is primarily funded through a combination of government grants, revenue from timber sales, and other commercial activities on its managed land. Additionally, it may also receive funding from environmental and conservation grants, partnerships with other organizations, and income from recreational activities such as forest holidays and events.