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manufacturing opportunities, and an overall boost for the rural economy.
In Scotland alone, a recent independent study has revealed that the forestry and wood sector is responsible for 34,000 jobs and £1.1bn added value to the economy. This represents a remarkable 30% jump in employment levels and a more than 15% boost to economic impact since 2015. This achievement, in the face of unprecedented economic challenges, is testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the people working in the sector, and the growing demand for wood as a low carbon material.
During the pandemic, the UK industry experienced huge demand after Confor secured the designation of wood as a key resource in the fight against Covid, providing building materials for the emergency hospitals that were constructed and moving food and pharmaceuticals around on pallets. Homeowners also drove demand as they spent money on their homes and gardens. More recently the Ukraine war saw imports to the UK from Russia and Belarus disrupted, flagging up again the need for the UK to consider its timber security, and while demand has since fallen, the industry is on an upward trajectory and there is a chance to push the economic contribution and numbers of people employed in the industry up even higher in coming years.
Commenting on the economy and jobs report, deputy first minister Kate Forbes described Scotland’s forests and woodlands as a “sustainable powerhouse” making an increasingly important contribution to the country’s economy.
Scottish Forestry’s head of economics Pat Snowdon added: “Forestry is often called a ‘hidden industry’ because there are so many small businesses placed in remote areas working throughout the sector.
“This comprehensive economic study covers a multitude of forestry activities. The findings provide a snapshot of the different ways forestry generates income and employment across Scotland.”
It is reasonable to believe similar success for the industry can be replicated throughout the UK with continued support and momentum.
KEEPING FORESTRY AT THE FOREFRONT Confor is continuing to engage with government to ensure they recognise that funding our sector provides a tangible return on investment in economic, environmental and societal terms. Ahead of the 2024 General Election, we created a five-point plan for incoming policy makers to prioritise timber security and deliver on net zero commitments. 1. Create more forests: As part of the CCC’s target, plant at least 9,000ha annually in England, including at least 3,000ha of wood-producing forests, and protect all our existing forests.
2. Create a Timber Security Strategy: Commit to a future level of sustained domestic wood production that will see the proportion of timber imports to the UK reduce, including from endangered forests overseas.
3. Promote home-grown wood: Set a target to significantly increase the number of new homes in England built with domestically sourced timber frames by 2030. Utilise
government’s procurement power to make home-grown wood the material of choice for all government construction and renovation work.
4. Develop a skills action plan: To ensure these goals are met, implement a skills action plan in partnership with industry, to address workforce needs in the forestry and wood sector, including initiatives to help armed forces veterans enter the industry.
5. Communicate the big messages: Surveys repeatedly show that people love trees, and wood products, but don’t often join up the two. A communications campaign should promote the importance of forests, timber security, and the economic and environmental benefits of the forestry and wood sector.
The tangible benefits that forestry and timber can provide will be the focus of our upcoming UK policy conference: ‘Green Growth Through Forestry and Wood’. We have invited the new forestry minister, Mary Creagh MP, to attend the event on December 5 at the QEII Centre in Westminster and to set out her plans for the industry. We will also hear from industry leaders, academics and key policy advisers about the opportunities our industry offers, and the action needed to unlock potential. ■
FURTHER INFORMATION
Tickets are available on our website:
www.confor.org.uk
www.ttjonline.com | September/October 2024 | TTJ
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