I have been asked by Owen Paterson, secretary of state for the environment, to chair the development of an action plan, called Grown in Britain, in partnership with the private sector, that helps to create a sustainable future for our woodlands and forests. I am to report in the autumn.
This is in response to the publication of the final report of the Independent Panel on Forestry chaired by the Bishop of Liverpool. The report clearly identified the many important societal, economic and environmental benefits that our woodlands and forests bring to our country. It also recognised the need for concerted action to ensure a positive and vibrant future for them and it is in direct support of this point that I have been asked to develop Grown in Britain.
Since meeting the secretary of state and his announcement in January, I have been working out how best to deliver this task and on how to maximise Grown in Britain’s impact. I have been doing this in close collaboration with Confor’s chief executive, Stuart Goodall, who was a Panel member and has been canvassing views and support from industry, and with officials from Defra and the Forestry Commission who have been allocated to support the development of the plan. All are highly motivated to make a positive impact. I will publish more about Grown in Britain soon, but in summary I plan to focus on three main areas:
? to create a new and stronger market pull for the array of products derived from our woodlands and forests;
? to develop private sector funding that supports the planting and management of woodland and forests as part of companies’ corporate social responsibility;
? to connect and harness the positive energy and feelings towards our woodlands and forests that many in our society share to create a strong wood culture, for health, fitness, wellbeing, community and to encourage the buying of more wood.
I am putting together a panel of senior business leaders to support the development and implementation of the action plan. These are people who have significant buying power, or societal outreach. I will announce the panel in a couple of weeks and it is likely to include senior figures from retail, contractor, DIY, housing, and government procurement sectors. All those I have approached so far have been enthusiastic to get on board and to see how their buying power can provide market pull for products from our woodlands and forests – from fuel to engineered timber products. Through Stuart and the wider sector, I hope to connect the forestry and wood supply chains into these new opportunities to create sustainable demand and supply.
In terms of engaging society, I have strong support from a variety of organisations. Together, they represent millions and I aim to harness this outreach in the plan.
We will be holding a "Grown in Britain week" from October 14-20 to coincide with the publication of the report. This provides a focus for the private sector demand side and for societal involvement and for all those involved in the sector. I hope that during the week we can create a movement for British wood products.
If we are really to make a positive difference then it will be essential to connect into the wealth of talent and energy across the wood sector. I do hope that many of you will find ways to become positively involved so we can put our collective weight behind a cause that so many of us share and help enable a transformation that creates a better, more sustainable future for our woodlands and forests and all those associated with them. We will be in touch on how to become more involved within the next month (including website details).
In my role for the Olympic Delivery Authority, I learned first hand what great things this industry can do. I welcome the opportunity on building on this success in Grown in Britain.
