The UK softwood and hardwood sectors must work closely together on the issue of responsible timber procurement.

This was the message from Hoppings Softwood Products plc chairman and former London Softwood Club president Charles Hopping to the London Hardwood Club.

Mr Hopping, who was guest speaker at the LHC’s annual lunch, is one of the working party which has been developing The Timber Trade Federation‘s new responsible purchasing policy (RPP).

“The RPP is absolutely key, one of the most important things the TTF is doing and vital if we are to influence government procurement policy,” he said.

&#8220We have to balance the needs of our suppliers with those of our customers who rightly demand that the wood they buy is legal, sustainable and certified”

Charles Hopping, chairman of Hoppings Softwood Products plc

He acknowledged that the temperate timber trade had very “different issues” from the tropical timber sector. But when it comes to environmental and procurement issues, Mr Hopping said that it was “important that we work together to get a sensible solution to our different problems”.

“We have to balance the needs of our suppliers with those of our customers who rightly demand that the wood they buy is legal, sustainable and certified,” he said. “This is an issue that the softwood and hardwood trades don’t exactly see eye to eye on, but we have to work together to find the solution.”

  • Jack Furtado, who has been president of the LHC for five years, urged members to stay involved with the club and particularly to plan for the eventual succession of secretarial roles.