1. Background and Purpose 2. Use of the certification standard 3. Structure of the certification standard 4. Procedures for use of the certification standard 5. Interpretation and revision of the certification standard

6.1 Protection of rare species, habitats and natural resources 6.2 Maintenance of biodiversity and ecological functions 6.3 Conservation of semi-natural woodlands and plantations on ancient woodland sites 6.4 Game management

7.1 Consultation 7.2 Woodland access and recreation including traditional and permissive use rights 7.3 Rural economy 7.4 Minimising adverse impacts

8. Forestry workforce

8.1 Health and safety 8.2 Training and continuing development 8.3 Workers’ rights 8.4 Insurance

Glossary of Terms Appendix: References

Key

The following abbreviations have been used throughout the text to highlight sources of additional information. More info.

Managment
Planning

Biodiversity
Action Plan

Forest
Reproductive
Material
Regulations

References

Protection and Maintenance

5.1Planning
5.1.1	Requirement Planting and restructuring plans shall be designed to minimise the risk of damage from wind, fire, invasive plant and animal species, and other pests and diseases. Means of verification All woodlands: Management planning documentation Discussions with the owner/manager. Non-SLIM woodlands: Design plan.	Guidance Evaluation should consider: Robust planting design Climate change adaptation Diversity of species, ages and distribution of open ground.
5.1.2	Requirement Tree health shall be monitored and results shall be incorporated into management planning together with measures to prevent the introduction and onward spread of tree pests and diseases according to guidance arising from national monitoring of plant health. Means of verification All woodlands: Owner/manager is aware of potential risks Evidence of unhealthy trees, tree pests and disease is noted and appropriate action taken Compliance with statutory Plant Health Notices. Non-SLIM woodlands: Documented systems for assessing tree health Notes or records of monitoring and responses to problems.	Guidance Plans and actions related to plant health ecology should be appropriate to the scale and composition of the woodland and to plant health hazards. Significant or new incidence of tree pests or disease should be reported to the competent authority.
5.1.3	Requirement Grazing and browsing impacts shall be monitored and results shall be incorporated into management planning. Means of verification All woodlands: Owner/manager is aware of potential risks Evidence of grazing and browsing impacts is noted and appropriate action taken. Non-SLIM woodlands: Documented systems for assessing grazing and browsing impacts Notes or records of monitoring and responses to problems.	Guidance Plans and actions related to grazing and browsing regimes should be appropriate to the scale and composition of the woodland and to grazing and browsing hazards.
5.1.4	Requirement Management of invasive plants and of wild mammals, excluding deer, shall be undertaken in co-ordination with neighbours where possible (see section 5.1.5 in relation to deer). Means of verification All woodlands: Awareness of potential problems and verbal description of appropriate action Justification given for not joining a wildlife management group. Non-SLIM woodlands: Where there is a significant problem caused by wildlife, a documented plan (which may take the form of a contract or licence) for control.	Guidance If management cannot maintain populations at a level that ensures they are not causing ecological damage, then sensitive areas – including regeneration sites, coppice coupes and areas with vulnerable flora – should be protected from browsing and other damage.
5.1.5	Requirement Management of wild deer shall be based on a written strategy which identifies the management objectives, and aims to regulate the impact of deer. Means of verification All woodlands: Awareness of potential problems Description of appropriate action in the management planning documentation Justification given for not joining a deer management group Evidence of cull targets and achievements. Non-SLIM woodlands: Where there is a significant problem caused by deer, a documented plan for control; this may take the form of a contract or licence.	Guidance This requirement may involve the setting of cull targets and should involve the membership of a Deer Management Group where appropriate.
5.1.6	Requirement A fire plan shall be developed as appropriate to the level of risk. Means of verification Discussions with the owner/manager Fire plan In sites with high risk of fire, evidence of contact with the fire and rescue service and that their advice has been heeded.	Guidance Fire plan should include: Responsibilities for action Contact details Emergency procedures.
5.1.7	Requirement Staff and contractors shall clearly understand and implement safety precautions, environmental protection plans, biosecurity protocols and emergency procedures. Means of verification Discussions with staff and contractors Field observation.	Guidance See also section 8.1.1.

5.1Planning

5.1.1

Requirement

Planting and restructuring plans shall be designed to minimise the risk of damage from wind, fire, invasive plant and animal species, and other pests and diseases.

Means of verification

All woodlands:

Management planning documentation
Discussions with the owner/manager.

Non-SLIM woodlands:

Design plan.

Guidance

Evaluation should consider:

Robust planting design
Climate change adaptation
Diversity of species, ages and distribution of open ground.

5.1.2

Requirement

Tree health shall be monitored and results shall be incorporated into management planning together with measures to prevent the introduction and onward spread of tree pests and diseases according to guidance arising from national monitoring of plant health.

Means of verification

All woodlands:

Owner/manager is aware of potential risks
Evidence of unhealthy trees, tree pests and disease is noted and appropriate action taken
Compliance with statutory Plant Health Notices.

Non-SLIM woodlands:

Documented systems for assessing tree health
Notes or records of monitoring and responses to problems.

Guidance

Plans and actions related to plant health ecology should be appropriate to the scale and composition of the woodland and to plant health hazards.

Significant or new incidence of tree pests or disease should be reported to the competent authority.

5.1.3

Requirement

Grazing and browsing impacts shall be monitored and results shall be incorporated into management planning.

Means of verification

All woodlands:

Owner/manager is aware of potential risks
Evidence of grazing and browsing impacts is noted and appropriate action taken.

Non-SLIM woodlands:

Documented systems for assessing grazing and browsing impacts
Notes or records of monitoring and responses to problems.

Guidance

Plans and actions related to grazing and browsing regimes should be appropriate to the scale and composition of the woodland and to grazing and browsing hazards.

5.1.4

Requirement

Management of invasive plants and of wild mammals, excluding deer, shall be undertaken in co-ordination with neighbours where possible (see section 5.1.5 in relation to deer).

Means of verification

All woodlands:

Awareness of potential problems and verbal description of appropriate action
Justification given for not joining a wildlife management group.

Non-SLIM woodlands:

Where there is a significant problem caused by wildlife, a documented plan (which may take the form of a contract or licence) for control.

Guidance

If management cannot maintain populations at a level that ensures they are not causing ecological damage, then sensitive areas – including regeneration sites, coppice coupes and areas with vulnerable flora – should be protected from browsing and other damage.

5.1.5

Requirement

Management of wild deer shall be based on a written strategy which identifies the management objectives, and aims to regulate the impact of deer.

Means of verification

All woodlands:

Awareness of potential problems
Description of appropriate action in the management planning documentation
Justification given for not joining a deer management group
Evidence of cull targets and achievements.

Non-SLIM woodlands:

Where there is a significant problem caused by deer, a documented plan for control; this may take the form of a contract or licence.

Guidance

This requirement may involve the setting of cull targets and should involve the membership of a Deer Management Group where appropriate.

5.1.6

Requirement

A fire plan shall be developed as appropriate to the level of risk.

Means of verification

Discussions with the owner/manager
Fire plan
In sites with high risk of fire, evidence of contact with the fire and rescue service and that their advice has been heeded.

Guidance

Fire plan should include:

Responsibilities for action
Contact details
Emergency procedures.

5.1.7

Requirement

Staff and contractors shall clearly understand and implement safety precautions, environmental protection plans, biosecurity protocols and emergency procedures.

Means of verification

Discussions with staff and contractors
Field observation.

Guidance

See also section 8.1.1.