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Welcome...
... to Confor's May update.
You can find out more on these topical subjects, as well as market reports and updates, in June's Forestry & Timber News. June's features are on woodfuel and wood protection. FTN is just one of the benefits of membership. If you are not a member, please see what's on offer at http://www.confor.org.uk/
Welcome to new members:
Associated Timber Services LtdWilliam Cornforth, EdinburghWilliam Crawford, DumfriesshireMidland Forestry Ltd, West MidlandsThe Great Steward of Scotland's Dumfries House Trust, DumfriesshireSylvatic Ltd, CumbriaThomas TryonJake Whitcroft, East Sussex
Grown in Britain
Grown in Britain is a fantastic opportunity to promote our sector and it is hoped that everyone, whether they are from the industry, environmental groups or recreational users will get involved. The initiative aims to change understanding about woodland management and buying wood products, to promote home-grown products and to bring in new funding to support new planting and woodland management. Major retailers, building firms, environmental groups and others have already signed up. Find out more at http://www.growninbritain.org/
Confor secures additional funds in Scotland, plus CAP reform
Following repeated lobbying by Confor over two years, additional multi-million pound funding is set to be secured to support the Scottish RDP in 2014. As well as a reallocation of money from FE Scotland's ‘repositioning', it is hoped that unspent Euros from the beginning of the current SRDP programme will be allocated to forestry. The aim is to bridge the gap in 2014 between Scottish Government money of £16m and the current budget of £36m.
The UK has struck a deal to keep the Common Agricultural Policy on its path of reform.
Read more at http://www.confor.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/Default.aspx?pid=490
Confor and Timber Trade Federation host international softwood conference
This year's International Softwood Conference is to be held in Edinburgh, 14-18 October 2013, jointly run by Confor and the Timber Trade Federation. The main programme of this prestigious event runs 17-18 October, with presentations from around the world, including market development/analysis/outlook, wood promotion and EUTR. A pre-conference tour of Glasgow and sawmills will showcase Scotland's world-class softwood sector. http://www.isc2013.co.uk/
EUTR and Certification
Confor has been working hard to ensure that compliance with the new EU Timber Regulation is as simple as possible. In liaison with the Forestry Commission and Natural Resources Wales, and with input from the National Measurement Office, the body responsible for implementing the EUTR in the UK, a simple document has been developed that is designed to help the forestry sector meet the requirements of the legislation. Once finalised, Forestry Commission and NRW will issue the document with felling licences and grant agreements.
Further guidance on the EUTR and UK forestry is available on Confor's website http://www.confor.org.uk/WhatsHappening/Default.aspx?pid=453
Confor has co-ordinated further industry discussions on FSC's proposed Online Claims Platform. (See April Forestry & Timber News) This note lists the key points from a meeting with the developers of the OCP, Historic Futures, and FSC UK.
A demonstration site for the OCP is here which, FSC advises, provides several short videos to help you get started. Confor is currently liaising with other FSC members overseas to identify their views towards the OCP, recognising that the industry needs no new administrative burdens.
Wood for Good
Sign up to Wood for Good's eNewsletter at http://www.woodforgood.com/ to keep up to date with the UK's wood promotion campaign.
Congratulations to Euroforest and Norbord
Congratulations to Confor member Euroforest Limited on winning the prestigious Queens Award for Enterprise in International Trade 2013.
Congratulations also to Confor member Norbord on being awarded the prestigious Timber and Sheet Materials Supplier of the Year award at the annual Jewson conference 2013.
http://www.confor.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/Default.aspx?pid=491
Mandatory refresher training
The Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA) has announced the introduction of mandatory refresher training with effect from 1st October 2013. The training compliance is targeting all chainsaw operators and site supervisors operating in the forest industry. http://www.ukfisa.com/training.html
PESTS and DISEASES
Confor plays key role as extra £1.5m secured for OPM
Since joining the Oak Processionary Moth Steering Group last year Confor has played a vital role in driving a significant change in the approach to the control of OPM. Working with partners from across London and the SE, Confor's very clear thrust for a 'upgrade' in pace and action has led to a new control strategy, with over £1.5m extra resource now committed to control and eradication. The new plan is already swinging into action with aerial and ground based control, publicity leaflets and a new land owners' toolkit. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-project-launched-to-protect-oak-trees-from-harmful-caterpillar
Pests and diseases update
Confor has played a vital role in the delivery of the Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Action Plan and is the UK lead on facilitating the delivery of the actions on forest biosecurity. Find out latest developments on P ramorum, oak decline, Chalara and more - http://www.confor.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/Default.aspx?pid=492
HTA and Confor UK biosecurity conference - 30 May
The Horticultural Trades Association, in association with Confor, is holding a major conference on plant biosecurity, on 30 May, near York. Following the current issues surrounding biosecurity and the changes to plant-health regulation, the conference aims to identify an action plan for both regulators and the industry; the proposal being to minimise the threat to the UK environment whilst developing a strong and thriving UK production industry. http://www.the-hta.org.uk/page.php?pageid=1079
Operational and harvesting aspects of P Ramorum and larch
Confor's Safety, Technical and Compliance group have organised a day focussed on looking at the operational and harvesting aspects of P.ramorum and larch management in South Wales on Thursday 6th June 2013 - 10.30-4pm.
Download flyer for programme and registration information - http://www.confor.org.uk/Upload/Documents/16_STClarcheventAfanLodge6June2013.doc
COUNTRY NEWS
Confor and WT fight for forestry in England
Confor and the Woodland Trust co-ordinated the bringing together of 17 signatories to an open letter in the Telegraph to Secretary of State, Owen Paterson, calling on him not to merge Forestry Commission England with Natural England or the Environment Agency, mimicking the merger of Forestry Commission Wales that the whole industry opposed. More at http://www.confor.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/News.aspx?pid=23&id=1465, and triennial review stakeholder comments at http://www.confor.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/Listings.aspx?pid=26&id=1378
Northern Ireland introduces felling licences
If new legislation on felling licences are made law, as scheduled, by June then application forms will then be made available. It will most likely then be another 3 months [September] before there would be any enforcement in order to provide a lead in period. More information will be posted on the DARD website later.
Demise of FC Wales
Confor's Kath McNulty reports from the launch of Natural Resources Wales, held in the Valleys near Merthyr Tydfil on 03 April 2013. http://www.confor.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/Default.aspx?pid=493
Confor welcomes forestry under one Welsh minister
Since the 2011 election, Confor has been lobbying hard for forestry to come under one minister. First Minister Carwyn Jones has now shuffled his cabinet and rationalised the ridiculous situation where forestry policy came under Environment and Sustainable Development and forestry funding under Agriculture and European Funding. This is important as Kath McNulty is part of a small team drawing up a proposal for forestry under the next RDP. http://www.confor.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/News.aspx?pid=23&id=1445
Keith Oates appointed Forestry Commissioner
Her Majesty The Queen has approved the appointment of Keith Oates as a Forestry Commissioner for England, reports FC England. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/newsrele.nsf/AllByUNID/B263BFAF04262AD080257B5D0028D0BC
Consultations
Details on current and recent consultations can be found http://www.confor.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/Listings.aspx?pid=26
Important EPS training events
After repeatedly asking, Confor now welcomes the announcement of FC training events in May and June on European Protected Species around England. Woodland owners and managers need to understand these regulations and guidance.
The training involves an indoor briefing session covering the legislative requirements, the largest part of the day will be spent outdoors identifying and discussing potential habitat sites. The fee for attendance is £50pp, click here to visit the FC box office to book a place and make payment. Places at each event are limited and will be issued on a first come, first served basis.
CONFOR EVENTS
Confor's Home Counties spring meeting, at Andrew Ingram's Greenfield Farm mixed estate in the Chilterns north of Henley, on 17 May 2013. http://www.confor.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/Events.aspx?pid=25&id=1456
South West England regional AGM and members' day, at Stourhead Western, Wiltshire, on 20 May 2013, http://www.confor.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/Events.aspx?pid=25&id=1446
UK Plant Biosecurity - preparing for the threats of tomorrow, York, 30 May 2013 http://www.the-hta.org.uk/page.php?pageid=1079
Dothistroma Needle Blight training days organised by Forest Research, 3-5 June across Scotland. http://www.confor.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/Events.aspx?pid=25&id=1480
Operational and harvesting aspects of P. ramorum and larch management - Wales, Afan Lodge, South Wales, 06 June 2013 http://www.confor.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/Events.aspx?pid=25&id=1472
Confor Woodland Show, 12-13 September 2013, at Longleat Estate, Wiltshire http://www.confor.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/Default.aspx?pid=174
South Scotland regional forest industry meeting, Lockerbie, 18 September 2013
North Scotland regional forest industry meeting, Deeside, 02 October 2013
Mid Scotland regional forest industry meeting, at Stirling, 29 October 2013
APF 2014, Ragley Estate, Warwickshire, 18/19/20th September 2014 http://www.apfexhibition.co.uk/
OTHER EVENTS
Industry organised events are listed by country and region here http://www.confor.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/IndustryEvents.aspx?pid=104