Mike Jeffree: TTJ has detected an increase in government interest in the timber and forestry industries recently. Is that a fair comment?
Elliot Morley: There’s no doubt that forestry and timber issues have gone up the political agenda, particularly in the international context in the run up to the Johannesburg [Sustainable Development] conference in the autumn. It’s one of the five key areas that the prime minister has identified for the conference. I also think that what we’ve achieved in the UK both in the public and private forestry and forests products sectors is of great interest to many people internationally. They have a very good record both in terms of efficiency and social awareness. And the Timber Trade Federation has also contributed by engaging with the government.
MJ: At the TTF dinner you spoke about encouraging a greater wood-using culture in the UK. How can this be achieved?
EM: Well, we’re fully behind the wood. for good campaign, which we think is doing a great job. Part of our strategy on sustainability also involves encouragement and support for sustainable building and wood naturally comes into context here. It’s renewable, if it comes from well-managed sources, and it has very good insulating properties, which ties in with our energy reduction targets and support for international climate agreements. So we’re encouraging its use here.
MJ: What other measures are you taking in this area?
EM: We’re backing the Egan report’s findings on making the supply chain side of construction more cost-effective and energy efficient, and this effectively encourages use of timber products in its support for greater prefabrication. Also beneficial is the work we’ve been doing on building materials’ insulation properties and in setting insulation standards.
MJ: Another major focus for the UK industry is the increase in softwood harvesting forecast over coming years and finding uses and markets for this timber. Can the government help find answers here?
EM: We have a number of R&D budgets and link programmes which may be of help and bodies involved in timber research, like TRADA, the BRE and Scottish Forest Industries Cluster can bid for the funds. They might also dip into funds for our energy and recycling programmes.
MJ: Many people would like the wood. for good campaign to continue beyond its initial three-year life span. Is there any role here for the government, given your commitment to encouraging a wood-using culture?
EM: We give it our fullest moral support, but other sectors fund this sort of generic promotion themselves and we think that’s the right approach.
MJ: A lot of media and political attention has been paid to the increase in tree cover in the UK. But do you think enough attention has been given to the timber production aspect?
EM: There is strong demand for forestry on social and environmental grounds, particularly in England. But commercial timber production is a very important part of the strategy too and there will be opportunities for the private sector to take advantage of the increase in forest cover. There will be a return in softwood and hardwood production.
MJ: In terms of environmental certification, the Forest Stewardship Council‘s accreditation scheme is probably the best known, but the industry has set up alternatives. Is the government giving greater credence to particular schemes when it comes to its timber procurement?
EM: I appreciate there has been some sensitivity about the FSC in the industry and we do recognise that there are alternatives which also have the right elements in place to be successful, credible certification schemes. But there is a plethora of schemes now and there may be scope for some coming together, perhaps under the FSC umbrella or through other schemes being FSC-recognised, as is the case with the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme.
MJ: Is there any role for the government in brokering talks between environmental certification and accreditation schemes?
EM: It is primarily for industry to decide which is the most appropriate scheme for it. But we’re always available to work with people on these issues.
MJ: Is there a possibility that the government may eventually opt only to recognise the FSC certification programme?
EM: No. We recognise the FSC as guaranteeing sustainable management, so any supplier who has FSC-approved certification meets our criteria on this issue straight away. But that doesn’t mean other suppliers don’t have perfectly reasonable certification. We examine each on its merits.
MJ: What will be the next government moves on illegal logging?
EM: Well, we’ve just signed the memorandum with Indonesia on the issue and we’re talking with our G8 partners about cracking down collectively. We can also tackle this through our aid programmes and assisting developing countries in sustainable forest management. And we very much hope that some projects in this area will come out of Johannesburg, probably focused on Africa. We’ve been talking with the TTF on this issue and very much appreciate their help.
MJ: Harder line greens call for boycotts of particular species of timber from certain areas to combat illegal logging. The industry feels this tars all loggers with the same brush and would deprive those countries of commercial incentive to maintain their forests.
EM: We acknowledge the risk to the forest that boycotts may cause, which is why we prefer to reach agreement with producer countries on sustainable management. At the same time, we do feel there is scope for some pressure and influence from end-user countries; it is, after all, in the producer countries’ interests to have sustainable management and certification schemes in place.
MJ: But we can’t tell producer countries what to do.
EM: No, we can’t lecture people, especially given what we’ve done to UK forests over the centuries, and we do want producer countries to get a good sustainable return from their forests. But all that is being undermined by illegal logging, so we must all work together to close the end markets to illegally-felled timber and improve management and that’s what we intend to do. We’re certainly not saying you should never take trees or cut them down. Sustainable management doesn’t mean you can’t log. It means doing it in a responsible way.
If nothing is done the NGOs could win public sympathy for boycotts.
MJ: What’s the latest on the recent Greenpeace protests that timber products used in the cabinet office were not certified?
EM: There are allegations and counter allegations about exactly what happened and an investigation is under way. But we do need to ensure that our contracts are very clear about our commitment to using certified timber and that the supply chain stands up to examination.
MJ: Another key recent event for the UK timber trade was the launch of the TTF Code of Conduct. How do you view this development?
EM: It’s very important. It links to all the government is saying about having well-managed responsible industries that regulate themselves in terms of the standards they apply. It’s about professional standards, it’s about image, and it’s about the quality of products and consumer confidence.
MJ: Overall do you have a positive image of how the timber industry is operating and its prospects?
EM: I do like the industry and appreciate the relationship we’ve established with the private and public forest products sector, including the TTF. There’s very active and constructive co-operation and we are genuinely looking for partnership. I just think working with wood has such a good image and such a range of benefits – commercial, social and environmental.
The market also looks quite strong. There has been a swing to timber frame and timber generally in construction, and growth in decking, garden furniture and wood floors. Consumers like timber. They like its look, its feel and natural appeal. Personally, I like working in a timber paneled office.
MJ: Perhaps in the recent past the industry was under too much pressure from certain environmentalist groups to really raise its profile.
EM: But it has reacted to environmental criticisms across the board and can now demonstrate that, certainly in the UK, it is a sustainable sector. It can now capitalise on the range of positives people feel about timber when it’s from well-managed sources – the only proviso is that it must be able to stand up to examination on this.
