The Timber Trade Federation (TTF) is growing stronger and more influential at every step of the way, according to president John Tong at the East Anglian Timber Trade Association (EATTA) dinner on September 28.

Addressing 280 guests at the event, held in the Great Hall of King’s College, Cambridge, Mr Tong went on to list some of the TTF’s recent achievements. “Our direct engagement with government is allowing the trade to contribute directly to the Sustainable Procurement Task Force,” he said, adding that the federations own Responsible Purchasing Policy was gaining ground. “The debate over mandatory involvement for TTF members will be held at next summer’s AGM,” he said.

Also on an environmental theme, Mr Tong said: “To help seize the initiative on current concerns over environmentally sound supply, the Timber Trade Action Plan has been put in place and we have now secured €3.5m of matched funding for business to work with suppliers on their environmental policies and systems.”

&#8220Our direct engagement with government is allowing the trade to contribute directly to the Sustainable Procurement Task Force”

John Tong, TTF president

In the tropical hardwood arena, Mr Tong said the TTF’s work on the FLEGT programme had been well received and that corporate social responsibility adviser Andy Roby had spent four weeks in Africa helping producers understand what they need to do to access the European market. “Following this initial success we hare hoping to gain further funding the extend this work into Brazil and possible Asia too.”

EATTA chairman Andy Moore called on the industry to present a less fragmented front and improve communication with end users. This was all the more important, he said, as “the recently announced closure of over 30 B&Q branches is a clear sign that all is not well and the downturn is now hitting all sectors from the national housebuilder to the DIY enthusiast”.