David Leslie to lead timber forecasting group

David Leslie, general manager harvesting and operations at James Jones & Sons, has taken over the chairmanship of the Private Sector Production Forecast Working Group.

He replaces Roger Coppock, head of specialist advisers at the Forestry Commission, who is stepping down after two years in the post.

The working group has met regularly over the past two years to produce a forest ownership map of Great Britain. The collaborative effort between the Commission and the private sector has been essential in paving the way for the survey work now being undertaken for the next National Forest Inventory.

Early survey work is concentrating on conifer stands to provide the data for the 2011 production forecast. However, the sampling will also assess the broadleaved resource, and enable a more comprehensive and accurate forecast of hardwood production. It will provide vital information for the biomass sector, and provide opportunities for new rural development.

“The work of the group, in conjunction with the National Forest Inventory, will for the first time provide a comprehensive data-set from which the next production forecast can be run,” said Mr Leslie. “This will be the first forecast where the private sector has been intimately involved from the start of the process, and I'm confident the results will surpass anything that has gone before."