The Timber Decking Association (TDA) has joined forces with the Timber Trades Federation TTF) to respond to accusations made by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) about Britain being a main destination for illegally cut timber. The press release issued by TTF published below is fully supported by the TDA.

 

The UK Timber Trade Federation today criticised a Report on illegal logging, ‘Cut it Out’, published yesterday by the World Wildlife Fund.

In a letter to The Times, TTF Chief Executive, John White, expressed support for the NGO’s call for an EU ban on illegal imports but described the statistical methodology used in the Report to calculate the level of illegal wood entering the UK as ‘statistical nonsense’.

‘The Report does a disservice to the UK’s efforts to reduce the amount of illegal timber entering the supply chain,’ said White. ‘Assuming a rate of illegal timber production and assuming that percentage applies to all imports is statistical nonsense and has no place in a serious report. Both industry and Government has led the world in demanding legal and sustainable timber. A recent independent report commission by the Timber Trade Federation found that well over 50% of timber coming into the UK was certified as legal and sustainable from next to nothing ten years ago. Coupled with growing demand, NGO and industry monitoring schemes and a Government timber procurement policy that is a model for other importing countries, there is real momentum in the fight against this iniquitous trade’.

White highlighted that wood is the most environmentally sound building material known to man stating that sustainably managed forests can provide an endless supply of wood. Adding that trees absorb and store carbon he called on consumers, NGOs, Government and industry to buy sustainable wood both to stamp out illegal logging and fight climate change.

ENDS

For further information contact John White on 020 7839 1891

Notes for Editors

1.    1. The Timber Trade Federation is Growing the Use of Wood through the political, promotional and technical representation of its members’ interests.

2.    2. Copies of the WWF Report ‘Cut it Out’ are available on the WWF website at www.wwf.org.uk/news/n_0000003562.asp