Confor and UKFPA members unanimous in backing merger

This comprehensive vote followed on from a similarly unanimous vote on merger by members of the UKFPA at the end of August.

After the final legal processes take place, the merger will take effect from January 1, 2019 and the combined organisations will operate under the Confor banner.

When the merger was first announced, Confor’s chief executive Stuart Goodall and UKFPA executive director David Sulman said: “There is a lot more we can do for member businesses and this merger will help us deliver greater services and do more to promote their interests to politicians and in the media.”

“Everyone is very pleased that both memberships have backed the merger proposal,” said Confor chair Athole McKillop after the vote. “We have so many opportunities and challenges facing us, from post-Brexit funding and policy, to plant health and securing future wood supply, it’s vital that we make best use of the sector’s resources to promote our interests and to provide enhanced services to members.”

“This an exciting time for the forest industry and I see the merger of Confor and UKFPA as a great opportunity to bring the strengths of both organisations together to have a strong single voice representing the industry,” added Gavin Davidson, UKFPA vice-president.

Issues for the combined organisation in the future will include commercial planting rates and ensuring forestry is treated fairly and equally alongside other land uses as post-Brexit policy and funding takes shape.

Other priorities priorities will include helping businesses manage the increasingly complex regulatory environment; and providing members with the support and information they need to help them be profitable.

“In short, to move forestry and wood processing onto a new level – as a confident, modern and highly successful industry,” said Mr Goodall.