A greater focus should be put on commercial conifer forestry in Wales and the rest of Britain, the UK Forest Products Association’s (UKFPA) AGM and annual lunch heard on May 1.
UKFPA president Gordon Callander made the plea after hearing Welsh Assembly minister for rural affairs Elin Jones address the AGM at the Wales Millennium Centre.
Mr Callander also called for a simplification of Forestry Commission Wales’ long-term contract process. “The buying and selling of timber need not be complex; let’s keep it as simple and straightforward as possible.”
Earlier, Ms Jones had told the AGM that the forest products sector could aid the Welsh Assembly’s policies. She also said there were “tremendous possibilities” for trees and timber to deliver solutions.
“Business in this sector can deliver high quality and sustainable timber for construction and other uses, wood for energy purposes and they can also support local economic regeneration and skills development.”
In his address to members, Mr Callander said the UKFPA had consolidated and grown during the past year, with new members joining and its range of activities expanding.
“The focus of UKFPA remains on addressing the practical issues which affect businesses in the UK forest products sector and the delivery of support services to members in a cost-effective manner.”
