Timber industries woo policy makers at CTI conference

Among the politicians attending the conference were Rachael Maskell MP, the shadow secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, Ian Paisley MP, who is chairman of the Timber Industries All Party Parliamentary Group and former Welsh Assembly shadow minster for the environment Antoinette Sandbach MP.

The event represented a strong move by the timber sector – under the umbrella of the CTI – to demonstrate its unity and communicate the economic, sustainable and practical value of timber as a construction material.

The leaders of the Timber Trade Federation, British Woodworking Federation and Structural Timber Association all spoke passionately about the advantages of wood and timber construction, as well as the work being done to improve skills and training in the industries.

David Hopkins, TTF managing director, unveiled the CTI manifesto, urging government to:

• Ensure the principles and practice of the EUTR are protected and enforced

• Maintain strict carbon targets at the heart of its Industrial Strategy

• Recognise and reward the timber trade’s crucial role in maintaining and expanding forest cover at home and abroad

Antoinette Sandbach, who is also a forester, acknowledged the benefits of wood construction.

“There is a large amount going in housebuilding,” she said. “Wood building has a large part to play and there is a new housing bill coming forward [in the New Year] and I think you need to get to the housing minister Gavin Barwell about the opportunities of building with wood.”

An evening reception at the House of Commons saw further MPs mix with CTI guests. A full report will appear in the next issue of TTJ.