The pressure on companies to improve their environmental performance will only increase, Timber Trade Federation (TTF) president Kevin Hayes has said.
Speaking at the London Softwood Club lunch last week, he said the timber industry needed to stand up and be proud of what it did and how it did it.
“This year is likely to see European legislation making it a legal requirement of every company in our industry to have a clear and stated policy of environmental due diligence in place,” said Mr Hayes. “Compliance will not be mandatory until next year, or 2011, but I’m delighted that the TTF is well ahead of the game in encouraging members to have this process in place as a condition of membership.”
He added that the TTF was also aware of an imminent WWF campaign to lobby the European Parliament in a major effort to “beef up” the specific due diligence criteria.
“Not only is it here to stay, but it will get tougher as the battle against illegal logging intensifies,” he said.
• Nigel Defrates stepped down from the London Softwood Club committee after 25 years of service, during which he held several different roles, including secretary and president. In recognition of his service, he has been made a life member of the club.
Club membership has risen from 82 to 101 in the past year.
