Sawmiller Pontrilas Timber has told forestry minister Huw Irranca-Davies that burning wood for energy is not the answer to making best possible use of forest resources.
Pontrilas chief executive Edward Hickman and ConFor head of policy Rupert Pigot took the minister to task when he visited the company’s mill near Hereford.
High on the agenda was the need to ensure wood was used for its greatest carbon and jobs benefit, particularly in response to proposed large-scale electricity generation from wood plants.
“We need action to bring more woodland into management, to encourage the greater use of wood in construction and to deliver increased new planting through a simplified regulatory system,” said Mr Hickman.
“The potential of the forestry and wood-using sector is clear. However, it is in danger of not being realised.”
The meeting was one of a series of events organised by ConFor ahead of the forthcoming general election.
