Scotland is fast becoming a major timber player and could be a net exporter, according to David Bills, director-general of the Forestry Commission.
Mr Bills said that despite timber prices remaining low – due to cheap imports from the Baltics and the strong pound – the industry has a sound future.
A recent survey of Scotland’s woodland showed there is more land under trees than there has been for 600 years. Most, said Mr Bills, had been planted in the past 50 years and large areas will soon be ready for harvest.
But, he warned, to be commercially viable costs must be driven down through the entire chain – from harvesting to the sawmill.
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“Production is increasing but so is consumption and the marketing of timber is in everybody’s interests.” |
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David Bills, Forestry Commission director general |
Another problem facing the industry is transport, but Mr Bills said possibilities include using ships in the far north and west and re-opening the Waverley rail line in the borders.
A review of grant schemes will result in a move from establishing new forests to maintenance and management, said Mr Bills. He concluded: “Production is increasing but so is consumption and the marketing of timber is in everybody’s interests.”
