The BRE‘s role in developing national and European product standards could be under threat if a timber industry bid to save a £700,000 government grant is unsuccessful.
A six-strong deputation from the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), British Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing Association, Wood Panels Industry Federation, Timber Trade Federation, UK Timber Frame Association and UK Forest Products Association has told construction minister Nigel Griffiths that if the grant is axed an invaluable and irreplaceable source of expertise built up over 50 years could be lost.
The government grant enables BRE to undertake research and testing to provide scientific evidence to underpin positions taken by UK industry in developing product standards. The grant is backed by substantial contributions – in both cash and kind -towards standards developments from the timber industry which is unlikely to be able to provide more.
BWF director Richard Lambert said: “The minister left us with no illusions about the difficulty of changing agreed policy and established budgets. He was genuine in his desire to help, but said that he would need powerful and persuasive arguments if he was to be able to fight our corner.
“We believe that BRE’s work strengthens our ability to shape standards to the benefit or our industry. The Construction Products Directive means standards are more important than ever, and we are concerned that the competitiveness of UK industry in the harmonised market may be undermined if they are developed without a strong UK contribution.”
