FORESTRY AND TIMBER ASSOCIATION CALLS FOR A UNITED FRONT

The appalling financial state of the forest industry needs to be addressed, according to the new chairman of the Forestry and Timber Association, Robert Scott.

Speaking at the AGM of the new forestry organisation - a merger of the Association of Professional Foresters and the Timber Growers Association - on 30th April, Mr Scott told members that latest Forest Enterprise figures show an operating loss of around £34m despite generating more than £75m from sales.

He suggested more financial assistance for existing woodlands would reflect the increasing benefit they provide. “But it would be naïve to expect a massive increase in public funding for private forestry. We also need to look at our production techniques and face up to the reality that if we want a competitive, profitable forest industry, we must look very critically at our costs”, he said.

He also called on the forest industry to get its house in order and develop a united message highlighting the role it has to play as part of a sustainable countryside.