UK forestry minister Elliot Morley has called for co-ordinated action to halt forest degradation and deforestation.

Speaking to ministers and delegates from across Europe at the Living Forests Summit in Vienna, Mr Morley also said action was needed for forestry to make a broad and positive contribution to society.

He said: “Our challenge is to lead by example, to use the purcashing power of governments to promote the purchase of wood products from sources verified as legally felled, legally traded and from forests that are sustainably managed.”

&#8220Our challenge is to lead by example, to use the purcashing power of governments to promote the purchase of wood products from sources verified as legally felled, legally traded and from forests that are sustainably managed”

UK forestry minister Elliot Morley

Mr Morley listed recent achievements in UK forestry, including 100% certification of public forests, drives to promote wood from well-managed forests and action to combat illegal logging.

During the summit’s multi-stakeholder dialogue, the forest industry expressed concern that the wood market could be adversely affected by political measures, such as extension of protected areas. It also sought political backing for the mutual recognition of certification schemes for forest management.