Representatives of the United Kingdom Forest Products Association (UKFPA) have met with the Welsh Assembly’s minister for environment, planning and countryside against a background of mounting industry concern at the direction of forest policy in Wales.
The meeting with Carwyn Jones AM at BSW Timber plc’s sawmill at Newbridge was described as “useful” and “worthwhile” by George Conway, the UKFPA’s regional chairman for Wales.
David Sulman, UKFPA executive director, said: “There is much at stake at present and there is clearly much work to be done. Investment decisions by businesses will be determined by Assembly policy and its implementation.”
He said some companies are concerned about forestry policies and it is therefore vital that dialogue continues with the minister and the Forestry Commission in Wales.
Mr Sulman said it is essential that assurances are given of timber supply to sawmills, together with a recognition by the Assembly and the Forestry Commission that forest management practice should be appropriate to the crop type and its location.
The forestry and forest products industry in Wales supports more than 4,500 direct jobs.
