Twenty members of the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) met international development minister Sally Keeble recently to discuss issues that impact on the trade, and in particular the role it can play in promoting sustainable forest management.

Mark O’Brien, the TTF’s head of public affairs said: “This was an important opportunity for the trade to talk directly to the minister at her first meeting with The Federation since being appointed in June.

“The minister reiterated the importance that the government places on sustainable forest management and its role in creating wealth in developing countries.

&#8220The minister reiterated the importance the UK government places on sustainable forest management and its role in creating wealth in developing countries.”

Mark O’Brien, TTF head of public affairs.

“The Federation was given the chance to put its message over that the market in tropical hardwoods was relatively small, that it was playing its part in trying to make this part of the sector more sustainable, and that it was only through trade that this goal could be achieved.”

The continued strengthening of the TTF’s relationship with the government was given a further boost after environment minister Michael Meacher agreed to meet the Federation for a second time on January 21.