The event took place at the Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly in London just three days after the pan-European implementation of the anti-illegal timber EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) and Mr Gale said the TTF’s involvement in the framing of the legislation, and its Responsible Purchasing Policy illegality risk assessment due diligence system for members, "got our industry to the point where it can comply".
"And now the EUTR is in place, the TTF is pledged to defend the integrity of its membership by ensuring its enforcement," he said. "It puts an opportunity to develop the market for wood in front of us, and any company that falls short will be out of the Federation. We cannot allow our reputation to be jeopardised."
Mr Gale praised the recent work of the Wood for Good campaign; the development of its timber pocket guide and online Timber Academy, and its latest initiative, the Wood First project, which is now developing a database for planners and specifiers to prove wood’s carbon and performance benefits.
"Wood First is having an impact and is now due to be debated by the UK Green Building Council," said Mr Gale. "But like every Wood for Good campaign, it needs funding. It deserves the generosity of this industry to keep moving in the same direction."
He also commended the TTF for its involvement with the Wood Accord, the agreement between leading UK timber industry bodies to increase collaboration in key areas "and make the most of our combined resources".
Overall, concluded Mr Gale, who will be succeeded as president by Stephen King of SCA in the summer, the Federation was a "brilliant organisation", which was reflected in the fact that membership had grown 20% in three years, with 22 more companies signing up this year already.
Guest speaker at the dinner, BRE chief executive and Olympics Delivery Authority leader construction products Peter Bonfield, talked about his appointment by Defra to the new role of chair of the Grown in Britain initiative. This was launched following the report by the government-appointed Independent Panel on Forestry, with the aim of creating "a viable economic, social and environmental future for the UK’s forests and woodlands".
"We need to make the UK woodland more than a purely environmental resource and preferred place to walk the dog," he said. "It needs economic underpinning, and development of its ability to supply a range of products from mulch and wood fuel, to engineered timber."
He added that as part of the initiative, which is backed by the TTF, Confor will draw up a plan for "revitalising the [UK] timber supply chain".
"The outcome will be a concise 20-30 page plan of action report in October, so we have a nine-month opportunity, not unlike that presented by the London Olympics, to harness public and business enthusiasm to power UK woodlands and timber," he said.
