ConFor’s hopes for reorganised Forestry Commission

The Confederation of Forest Industries (ConFor) has expressed its hope that the reorganised Forestry Commission England (FCE) will continue to be effective in promoting forestry and timber.

Caroline Harrison, Confor national manager for England, expressed the hope as the Commission is going through extensive reorganisation as part of government budget cuts, involving reduction in staff and activities.

Simon Hodgson, chief executive of Forestry Commission England, said the complex and large-scale changes would be implemented over the coming four years.

“While Confor has built links with Defra given its role in policy development, FC should remain, and indeed strengthen its role as the key public body for delivering forestry policy,” said Ms Harrison.

She said an effective relationship between government and the private sector was vital for forestry and wood-using businesses in England.

She said she hoped the outcomes of the Forestry Regulation Task Force and the independent panel on forestry would result in a strong and continuing role for the commission at the centre of forestry policy, advice and delivery.