While FSC has yet to endorse a fifth edition of the UK Woodland Assurance Standard, PEFC has endorsed UKWAS 5.0 as being fully compliant with their Sustainable Forest Management Requirements. Following publication of UKWAS 5.0 several owners, managers and representative associations raised concerns at the implications of the amended requirement 4.10.1 (4.9.1 in UKWAS 4) which relates to game-release pens and their impact on some categories of High Conservation Value sites/areas. This was of particular concern for a number of lowland and more traditional woodland estates where game shooting often provides a significant income over and above timber receipts.
Following consideration of these concerns the UKWAS Steering Group tasked the Revision Working Group to reconsider UKWAS 5.0 requirement 4.10.1. The revision working group was supported by technical experts during a series of meetings which included a field visit to view and discuss the concerns of all parties.
Subsequently the revision working group prepared an initial revision draft of 4.10.1. The amended text sets out to achieve an appropriate balance of interests. The UKWAS steering group has discussed the draft and fully supports the proposed text. The revision working group is now seeking stakeholders’ views on their draft.
Stakeholders can now comment on the proposed amendment to the UKWAS 5 requirement for game-release pens. This is a 60-day consultation. Your feedback is required by 16 February 2026. A second round of consultation will be held later in March/April. The consultation paper and background documents are available on the UKWAS website: Game Rearing Pen - consultation. The documents include the suggested amended requirement alongside details on the revision process and timetable.
Please note this consultation is in line with PEFC requirements for amendment of an endorsed standard (i.e. UKWAS 5.0) as defined in PEFC-ST-1001: 2017 - Standard-setting – Requirements. As FSC is yet to endorse UKWAS 5.0, this consultation does not form part of the formal FSC revision process for UKWAS 5, which is on-going. However every effort will be made to ensure that any agreed revision of UKWAS 5.0 requirement 4.10.1, including any date dependent elements, developed through this PEFC-endorsed amendment process will also be reflected within the final FSC-conformant UKWAS 5 to retain comparable requirements for both FSC and PEFC certificate holders.
Therefore, while this consultation is not formally part of the FSC revision process FSC UK urges FSC Forest Management Certificate Holders and other interested stakeholders to contribute to this consultation.