Secure raw material availability is one of the biggest concerns facing the wood industries in the coming years against a backdrop of growing demand.
With this in mind, the European Panel Federation (EPF) has created a policy paper – Strategic Wood Availability, which charts ‘The growing gap between strategic need and ecological reality’.
It is an important document that should elevate this important topic to a wide range of stakeholders, particularly policy makers in Europe. It’s a complex subject and with so many variables affecting the level of timber resources, it is incumbent on the industry to have a good grasp of the issue and campaign effectively to ensure enough wood will be available in future decades.
With wood-based panels being so necessary for uses in construction, furniture and design, while also having a great sustainability profile, it therefore follows that the industry needs to be supported with policies that are going to help it thrive.
EPF technical director Kris Wijnendaele highlighted the document to EPF members at the EPF annual AGM in Berlin. It’s possibly one of the EPF’s most important papers to date.
The report presents key findings and policy recommendations that can hopefully help get the industry’s message over to European decision makers about how a more balanced policy approach can help safeguard the needs of the sector.
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