However, NTC managing director Jan Söderlind insists this should not be a “step backwards” for the UK’s wood. for good generic timber promotion campaign, for which it has been a principal funder.
Mr Söderlind said the NTC would honour all ongoing financial undertakings to the end of the year, but that its office closes on October 31. He said the decision to wind u was rational. “Since 2000 we have been focused on generic timber campaign, regardless of its origin and have been instrumental in developing Wood for Good in the UK, Le Bois c’est essential campign in France and also participated in CEI-BOIS’ 2010 Roadmap to develop timber consumption across Europe,” he said. “It is now logical to move to even greater collaboration with other European countries and groups and there is no need for the Nordic level of co-ordination the NTC was designed to achieve.”
He insisted that there were no financial considerations in the decision and that the various Nordic industry bodies, Skogsindustrierna of Sweden, Wood Focus Oy of Finland and Treindustriernen of Norway, would continue to back international wood promotion, including wood for good.
“Wood for good and its achievements are much appreciated in the Nordic countries and I know the Swedes in particular have a big interest in and are keen to support the campaign,” said Mr Söderlind. “In fact right now they are developing a new international strategy and I’m sure the UK and wood for good will part of that.”
A wood for good board meeting takes place today (May 8).
More follows in next week’s TTJ.
