Update from Anthony Geddes National Manager for Wales

Anthony Geddes, National Manager for Wales

Positive political changes

Following the Senedd elections in May 2021, the formation of the new government has delivered a Ministry for Climate Change. This is a new style of political construct, which aligns land use policy, climate needs and decarbonisation with construction, housing, energy and sustainability policy. In short, it brings many of the co-dependant decision makers and levers required to unblock bureaucratic afforestation schemes, conservative construction methodology and stagnating land use change discussions. Today the future for forestry and processing in Wales looks bright.

Deep Dive Tree Planting Task Force

The new Senedd term has got off to a busy start with the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters, announcing a Deep Dive into tree planting in Wales. Confor have been at the core of this, and during its four-weeks intensive work, the task force developed 39 recommendations which were announced in the Senedd in mid July. The summary highlights are: • A new window of the Glastir Woodland Creation Scheme, to open in September - and a new woodland creation grant scheme to be open all year round from April 2022; • Fast-track verification for low-risk planting applications; • A new scheme to fund the development of new woodland plans; • A new woodland management grant; • More support for nurseries to increase capacity - including a commitment to work with the Confor Nurseries Group to “secure security of future tree supply”; • A working group to develop a Timber Industrial Strategy; • Greater support for skills development.

Full details can be found on the Confor website

Industrial Strategy

As a major outcome of the Task Force work identified above, the development of an Industrial Strategy for Woodfibre and Timber in Wales is now underway. Whilst in it’s early stages the scope promising with key focus points covering: • Addressing perceptions about quality of Welsh timber. • Action to address concerns about skills and labour supply. • Research on volume requirements to enter different markets at scale, future material need for timber in Wales. • Priority markets for Welsh timber in all areas of construction. • Developing stable demand and demonstrating good practice in the construction sector utilising Welsh timber. • The changing role of NRW and diverse private sector woodlands in supplying timber. • The role of manufacturers for addedvalue home grown timber and in delivering low carbon solutions. • The role of primary processors and higher value added processing. • Potential for a Circular Economy fund to increase the use of timber.

Confor will be representing members interests in this process and seeking to draw in their expertise during the development stages.

Natural Resources Wales - Timber Marketing Plan

In late June, NRW published the latest five-year Timber Marketing Plan. This is part of developing a wider 15-20 strategic outlook for the public estate. It aims to provide a long-term timber supply coupled to Welsh Government’s objectives for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources. >>

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