Representatives from Egger, James Jones & Sons and BSW Timber will meet the government’s Independent Panel on Forestry today.
They will meet the panel, chaired by the Right Reverend James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool, at Kielder Forest in a bid to ensure commercial interests are recognised as part of future policy for forestry and woodland management. The panel is advising the government on the future direction of forestry and the role of the Forestry Commission.
Hot topics for discussion include wood supply uncertainty, the importance of the Forestry Commission as a reliable supplier of timber at market price and the need for biodiverse forests, including mixed conifer and broadleaves.
Bob Livesey, managing director of Egger (UK), said the UK timber industry supported the principle of “woodland for all”, but pointed out that selling timber has been the number one contributor to the Forestry Commission’s finances.
“In order for forestry to be sustainable in the longer-term, commercial interests have to play a significant role in determining its future governance,” he said.
“To achieve this, we need to dispel the myth that commercial forestry is represented by monocultures and single interests. Rather, we are part of a biodiverse and social woodland environment that has real benefits for all, both now and in the future.”
