REVIEW
A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER The second wave of COVID, another lockdown, Brexit, COP26, elections, new policies…2021 was a busy year! We round up some of the major changes and events here
Brexit came into effect on 1 January 2021. For our sector, the changes have spanned several topics. The use of pallets and wooden packaging for goods moving between the UK and EU is now regulated by international standards. New UK plant passports were also introduced for use within the UK. New requirements on language and salary are now in place for recruiting non-UK workers, while hiring seasonal workers is subject to a very restrictive scheme. As can be expected when change on this scale takes place, there are still some teething problems, and some regulations are still in the process of being fine-tuned. Confor always work closely with the UK Government to represent the views of members and the complications they face.
COVID pandemic COVID continued to grab headlines and resources throughout 2021. The year started with a second national lockdown, and
CONFOR.ORG.UK
been created, led by Julie James and Lee Waters; they are working closely with the sector to explore potential for growth and linking it to sustainable housebuilding efforts.
Photo credit: Tomorrows Forests
Brexit
it looks like it will conclude with serious concerns about rising cases. Forestry and wood processing were able to continue working through both lockdowns and Confor was able to secure recognition of wood as an essential product. It is highly unlikely that we will see a third full lockdown, but governments across the UK are calling for people to stay alert and mindful of the risks of COVID. The health and safety measures introduced over 18 months ago are likely to stay with us well into 2022. At Confor we will continue supporting our members through this challenge. Get in touch if you have any questions or concerns.
England Tree Action Plan
Elections in Wales and Scotland In May, Wales and Scotland headed to the polls to elect new governments and parliaments. As it happens, in both cases, the government remained the same (Labour won in Wales, the SNP in Scotland) but without an outright majority, which has led to collaboration agreements with smaller parties. In late August, the SNP agreed a coalition deal with the Scottish Green Party, with the two Greens’ co-leaders appointed to ministerial positions involving responsibilities on net zero, nature and the green economy. In Wales, Labour only reached a collaboration agreement with Plaid Cymru in late November; there are no Plaid Cymru ministers but they have agreed policies in the main policy areas (COVID recovery, net zero agenda, the economy). For the sector, the elections resulted in some changes. Mairi McAllan is forestry minister and Mairi Gougeon leads on Rural Affairs; at this time, they are continuing on the path set by their predecessor Fergus Ewing to support the forestry and wood processing sector. In Wales, a new Net Zero super-ministry has
In May, the British Government published its long-awaited Action Plan. While the Plan itself didn’t include a target for tree planting in England, the Secretary of State George Eustice indicated that around 7,000ha of new woodland every year will be required to set England on the path to achieving its net zero commitment. England only planted around 2,000ha in 2020-21, so this will clearly be a big challenge. Perhaps more important than targets, is the attitude set out in the Plan: it recognises that there is a place for all kinds of trees and that softwood will increasingly play a very important part in decarbonising the economy while creating great employment opportunities across the whole country. Of course, there is still a lot that needs to be discussed and finalised, but this sends a strongly positive signal to the sector. Confor continues to work with DEFRA ministers and officials to input the views of the whole sector, which is resulting in encouraging progress. In November, the English Forestry and Wood-based Industries Leadership Group was inaugurated; it will provide a forum for discussion and collaboration between the forestry and wood use sector and policy-makers. continued on p21
FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • December 2021 19
