The forestry and agricultural sectors need to work more closely to help mitigate the threat from climate change in Wales, rural affairs minister Elin Jones has said.
This requires land use and land management in the two industries to be linked to ensure woodlands are utilised correctly to tackle floods and other impacts of climate change. Ms Jones added the link-up could also “break down some of the traditional barriers between the two sectors”.
The call for greater co-operation came at the launch of a new research paper – Impacts of Climate Change on Forestry in Wales – at the Royal Welsh Show, which predicts increased rainfall and flooding during the winter, and more droughts during drier summers.
She cited the example of farmers in mid-Wales who have been restoring trees around watercourses in order to reduce run-off and have discovered the trees can provide a number of useful by-products for their practices.
“They have found the woodland is providing a supply of woodchip they are using as bedding for their animals,” said the minister.
“This is the kind of joined up thinking I am keen to support and, of course, woodlands are a source of renewable woodfuel and provide a natural and adaptable low-energy raw material – timber.”
The Confederation of Forest Industries (ConFor) also published its own report into climate change at the show, with Tim Kirk, ConFor Wales’ chairman,saying that forestry and timber can provide “real answers to the problems facing the plant”.
“ConFor is already building new markets for timber, timber products and forest services, creating a supportive policy environment for the forest industries and helping members become more competitive and successful,” he said.
“Growth in the sector is strongly linked to the increased availability of wood from Wales’ forests and increasing demand for a carbon-lean and renewable material with an amazing variety of every-day uses.”
The Forestry Commission is establishing a Centre for Forestry and Climate Change to disseminate information on the interlinking issues between the changing climate and Welsh forests, while Forestry Commission Wales has also commissioned further research into the area.
