Weather creates crisis in timber industry

SCOTLAND'S billion-pound forestry industry faces an unprecedented crisis unless the timber supply chain can be restored quickly, experts have warned.

The Scotsman revealed on Saturday that the long spell of severe weather has made forests inaccessible to timber lorries, preventing trees from being felled.

Mills and other businesses will run out of wood within days and there are fears small fir
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ms in the haulage and harvesting sector will go to the wall, while workers at even large mills face lay-offs.

The impact could be huge as the sector employs 20,000 people directly and 40,000 indirectly and is worth £1 billion to the economy.

Trade body the Confederation of Forest Industries (ConFor) has met the Forestry Commission for crisis talks to stop the industry grinding to a halt.

ConFor chief executive Stuart Goodall said: "It is an unprecedented situation.

The most frustrating aspect is Scottish timber firms made significant progress in capturing market share against imports over the past year."

The Forestry Commission has promised to fast-track felling licences for private woodland owners who have timber that can be harvested now, while ConFor is also lobbying for a temporary relaxation in the enforcement of drivers' hours regulations.

George Webb, of chipboard maker Norbord, said: "For ourselves and companies that supply us, it is a pretty bleak position. There is a risk we will run out."