Eradicating Rhododendron Ponticum from Scotland’s Rainforest

That the Parliament welcomes the publication of the Woodland Trust’s, Rhododendron in the rainforest: Approaches to a growing problem report, which is supported by Scottish Land and Estates and by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery; understands that the report focusses on one of the key threats to Scotland’s rainforest, which dominates the rainforest, suppressing tree regeneration and shading out the internationally important plants that form a key part of rainforest biodiversity; further notes that approximately 140,000 hectares are affected in the rainforest zone; recognises that rhododendron treatment is needed at a population level to remove the threat; understands that a long-term approach is required to deal with the invasive and persistent nature of the plant; supports the requirement to bring together community-based alliances, an example of which is the Glen Creran community project in Argyll and Bute, to tackle the problem; supports the report’s recommendations as a means of supporting work to reduce invasive rhododendron and expand and restore the rainforest as a nature-based solution to the climate and nature emergency; welcomes the commitment that the Scottish Government has made in engaging with the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest to explore how the rainforest will be restored and expanded, and recognises the ecological imperative to act urgently to restore the rainforest.