Welsh Government to launch consultation on new timber strategy
The Welsh Government is calling for views from the public ahead of launching a new timber industrial strategy later this year.
With global demand for timber set to quadruple by 2050, ministers are asking how Wales can benefit from expected growth while future proofing its forests.
When finalised, the new strategy will set out a clear roadmap for how government and industry will work together to achieve a thriving wood-based economy in Wales.
It will include plans to future proof forests, create green jobs in the timber industry, develop more sustainable housing and boost decarbonisation.
Production
Earlier this week Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change Huw Irranca-Davies travelled to Penrhyndeudraeth to see how wood can work for Wales.
He visited Maes Deudraeth – a new social housing project using timber frames – and nearby Hafod Boeth forest where he learned more about timber production from workers at Tilhill Forestry.
Tenants talked about the benefits of living in low carbon, timber framed homes and apprentices at both sites discussed learning green skills in house building and timber production.
Huw Irranca-Davies said: “Timber is crucial to achieving a stronger, fairer, greener Wales. The forestry, timber and construction sectors offer varied careers, including high-paid green jobs, while also helping us tackle the climate emergency.
“By working with industry, Wales can make the most of the opportunities that come from making and selling forest products from renewable, sustainable and responsibly managed forests.
“We want our forests to bring economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits to the people of Wales for many centuries to come. That’s why I would encourage everyone to have their say in this important consultation.”
Sustainable
Jayne Bryant, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government added: “As well as its positive contribution towards boosting jobs and green growth, timber also contributes directly to the Welsh Government’s commitment to building more high-quality, sustainable and affordable homes. It also helps our ambition to meet Net Zero by 2050.
“Timber offers a low-carbon alternative to high-embodied carbon materials, like concrete. Alongside wood fibre, it also offers opportunities for reduced-carbon methods of construction, panelised solutions and off-site manufacture.
“Timber-framed homes can also be built quicker, helping to provide more high-quality, durable, healthy and sustainable homes for people in Wales, including social housing.
“As we see growing demand for low carbon timber-framed social homes, I am incredibly pleased to see the launch of this important consultation.”
You can have your say on the timber industrial strategy here.
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Does the timber used by builders Williams of Bala in Penrhyn still come from Finland?
Another consultation which proves Welsh Labour Government have NO idea nor their advisors but for them it smells of new taxes /
I trust they will have learnt from the previous NRW timber sales debacles mired in controversy of incompetence and allegations of corruption.
There are recent articles in the forestry journal that are critical of NRW and Welsh Govt.
https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/news/24458858.industry-hits-wales-anti-forestry-atmosphere/
I can remember when timber mills were local they harvested a crop it was sawn and graded and sold through the forestry commission, now it has become a miracle crop that’s going to save the world, no it always did that it’s just being re invented by clueless politicians. Why was the production of local timber ever stopped in wales? Politicians!
The big houses/estates now belong to the national trust, hotel chains or government departments…pit props to timber houses…they might get there…
Wales only country in UK without dedicated forestry commission so relies on pressures of NRW to progress.
The DFM is living his best life by the looks of it…
Suggest the Welsh Government timber strategy is just a feeding bowl for eco-spongers, those who migrate from England with a pay-packet made up of rewilding soundbites. This needs to go back to the drawing board and perhaps take direction from our cousins in Ireland. The Coillte Strategic Vision has three pillars (a) people and community, (b) timber as farming, and (c) boost bio-diversity. No dodgy land deals or charity shysters prowling the woods in fleece jackets with fancy embroidered logos. Our forests belongs to the people of Wales.
How about we don’t grow and keep populations smaller? Nothing good comes from a large population. There’s a reason people are happier in Scandinavian countries. I dread seeing the concreting that’s going to happen over the next 20 years. Does no one want greenery anymore?
Since 1921, the population of Wales increased by around 500,000 people. In a hundred years. An average of 5,000 a year. 96% of Wales is not built on. Well in excess of 80% of Welsh land is used for farming. The fertility rate in Wales is around 1.35 – it needs to be 2.1 just to maintain the current population levels.
A large population has all kinds of advantages, and the Scandinavian have never listed “small population” as the reason for their happiness.
I don’t mean to disparage timber & it’s uses, but this is something that is not in the top 100 of most Welsh peoples list of what keeps them up at night. I feel Wales has far, far more pressing problems than trying to magic a timber industry. Wales is approximately 15% wooded, whilst the average European country is 40% wooded, so it looks like Wales have target missed the boat. Softwoods take about 40 years to grow big enough to be turned into timber – hardwoods well over 100 years. Wales should concentrate on delivering things Welsh people want,… Read more »
Conifer forests become productive at around 20yrs for first thinning, but of course more and more pressure to be replacing with native broadleaf. Much of the natural and human regeneration on these schemes are low density so, combined with deer and pest uptick, seem unlikely to be of high enough quality for commercial sawlog.