The new Timber Industry Manifesto, launched on the Wood for Good stand, sets out seven action points the government should take to support sustainable timber in the UK.
Supported by groups across the timber sector, the manifesto asks the government to reduce VAT on sustainable timber products to 10%, publicly endorse timber as an eco-material and introduce a “wood first” rule that requires wood to be considered, where feasible, as the primary building material in all publicly-funded projects.
The document, to be used as part of lobbying work, is divided into three sections – economy, communities and environment. It also features special focuses on the London Olympics Velodrome, the Wood Window Alliance and sawmiller James Jones & Sons Ltd.
Wood for Good spokesperson Ricky Ambury said the Manifesto was designed to contain all the industry’s key messages in one place and could serve as both an educational tool for the likes of architects as well as a political document. “It’s trying to influence demand for timber,” he said.
“The Manifesto, uniquely I believe, has brought all the industry trade bodies together in support of a common narrative for the wood industry supply chain and set out an agreed set of policy objectives,” said John White, Timber Trade Federation chief executive.
“Our task is now to collectively deliver on our ambitions and to work towards industry representation that hits home.”
