Twitchers, hikers, picnickers, environmentalists and mountain bikers are just some of the interest groups the Forestry Commission (FC) has to take into account in running Britain’s 800,000ha of public forest. It even has to consider the sensitivities of Aberdeenshire naturists.
One group of the latter were up in arms at Commission proposals to fell a two-acre area of woodland adjoining their club. But they were clearly appeased when they found that the felling would leave them “a little more exposed to the weather”, but with their privacy intact.
Despite all the other calls on its forests though, the timber trade will be relieved to know that the FC under new director-general Tim Rollinson still sees its role as the country’s biggest single wood producer as absolutely vital.
In fact, Mr Rollinson goes beyond this. He believes that the UK is “on the verge of a real rediscovery of wood” and he sees the FC playing a prominent role in helping the rediscovery happen.
To achieve their potential, Mr Rollinson feels that all parts of the UK forestry and timber industries should act in concert. He plans for the FC to work ever more closely with the owners of the other 1.9 million ha of woodland in Britain. And he also wants to liaise with the timber trade to make the most of wood’s “natural edge” in a market increasingly concerned with sustainable construction and development.
Mr Rollinson has interesting things to say on environmental certification too. He believes it gives timber a major marketing advantage, but also that, for maximum impact, “convergence” is needed between the certification schemes. And he puts forward the steering group of the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme as a model for a forum where the schemes and their supporters can sit down and discuss the issues calmly.
The FC under Mr Rollinson will also maintain its commitment to wood. for good and is actively encouraging other organisations and businesses to back the campaign, with the aim of pushing the UK share of funding up to the 50% level that its Nordic supporters want.
