wood needed advice

[BARNSLEY BOB]

hi timberdelf

 

most important question, what price are you selling at, for what quantity.????

[ben_inthewoods]

Price is key especially for those not really giving two hoots about UK woodlands, the woodland industry, the landscape, biodiversity...need i go on?

 

however the issue of imported wood is being looked at seriously....

 

Here is the script from the powers that be...

 

"

We do not have reliable intelligence on the type and volume of biomass that is entering GB and where this biomass is coming from. As such we have recently commissioned a report from Geoff Hogan, Head of the Biomass Energy Centre (BEC) to assess the international trade with GB in firewood and fuel wood chips.

 

Extract from project brief:

 

Background

In the light of recent biosecurity issues and concern over the spread of plant pathogens between countries, it is valuable to have an understanding of the flows of plant material that may present a risk of infection, into the UK. Woodfuel, specifically firewood and wood chips, presents a particular risk and it is intended to attempt to estimate the current and likely flows of such material imported into the UK, both from the EU and beyond.

Project outline

• It is intended initially to collect such data on international trade with UK in firewood and fuel wood chips as is currently available through existing databases such as the HMRC Trade Info. This will be resolved into flow from within the EU and from beyond. Although such data do not give sufficient detail, and only cover flows to and from the UK, they can provide some baseline figures, and act as a reality check on more detailed data collected subsequently.

• Following this it will be necessary to assemble a list of principle importers of such material into the UK and contact each directly in an attempt to get figures for recent imports, and also to assess the likely changes in such trade over the coming years.

• It will also be necessary to attempt to estimate flows into the EU from outside its boundaries on the grounds that some of this material may subsequently find its way into the UK from third countries within the EU.

• Finally, if sufficient information is available, an attempt will be made to break down flows into the individual countries of Great Britain.

 

This report should be available towards the end of March. "

 

The importing of fuelwood (with bark, kilned to various standards) has horse meat parallels.

 

Perhaps quality firewood producers should be educating their customers?

[gensetsteve]

Price is key especially for those not really giving two hoots about UK woodlands, the woodland industry, the landscape, biodiversity...need i go on?

 

however the issue of imported wood is being looked at seriously....

 

Here is the script from the powers that be...

 

"

We do not have reliable intelligence on the type and volume of biomass that is entering GB and where this biomass is coming from. As such we have recently commissioned a report from Geoff Hogan, Head of the Biomass Energy Centre (BEC) to assess the international trade with GB in firewood and fuel wood chips.

 

Extract from project brief:

 

Background

In the light of recent biosecurity issues and concern over the spread of plant pathogens between countries, it is valuable to have an understanding of the flows of plant material that may present a risk of infection, into the UK. Woodfuel, specifically firewood and wood chips, presents a particular risk and it is intended to attempt to estimate the current and likely flows of such material imported into the UK, both from the EU and beyond.

Project outline

• It is intended initially to collect such data on international trade with UK in firewood and fuel wood chips as is currently available through existing databases such as the HMRC Trade Info. This will be resolved into flow from within the EU and from beyond. Although such data do not give sufficient detail, and only cover flows to and from the UK, they can provide some baseline figures, and act as a reality check on more detailed data collected subsequently.

• Following this it will be necessary to assemble a list of principle importers of such material into the UK and contact each directly in an attempt to get figures for recent imports, and also to assess the likely changes in such trade over the coming years.

• It will also be necessary to attempt to estimate flows into the EU from outside its boundaries on the grounds that some of this material may subsequently find its way into the UK from third countries within the EU.

• Finally, if sufficient information is available, an attempt will be made to break down flows into the individual countries of Great Britain.

 

This report should be available towards the end of March. "

 

The importing of fuelwood (with bark, kilned to various standards) has horse meat parallels.

 

Perhaps quality firewood producers should be educating their customers?

 

Been selling firewood for 7 years given up trying to explain to customers. All they are interested in is cheap. More so now than ever. The enviromental conscience has gone clean out the window now they cant afford to send Tarquin to uni while they jet of to Barbados.

[ben_inthewoods]

ah well that's that then?

 

perhaps that's why regulation might be required if there is a real risk of further pathogens being imported via logs with bark.

 

At the moment (for part of the year) you can't (it is illegal) to transport pine logs out of a small control area west of Inverness in order to prevent the spread of Pine Tree Lappet Moth. This is causing some folk major inconvienience, but it is limiting the spread of a potentially serious insect pest.

 

If statutory control is required because the market is not bothered that may be that.

 

what do you think?

[greendeltalimited]

I wonder what folk are importing when they are importing firewood (and chips) from eastern europe and from further afield?

 

I suspect that if Chalara had not turned up first then Emerald Ash Borer would have turned up from Russia (via Eastern Europe) where it is devasting ash woodland.

 

Bronze birch borer (via US) or Asian Longhorn Beetle (via Italy) next?

 

Would be interested to know what biosecurity controls are being put in place by those traders importing 'kiln dried' wood.....the floor is yours.....

 

Hi all, I may be a bit late for this thread, but just in case anyone is still reading..... I have recently started importing firewood into the UK from the Balkans and, to be honest, it has taken me the best part of two years to get all the regulations and safety controls in place. I can't speak for any other countries or companies, but the wood we are currently supplying comes from SGS, SSG, EU, UN and government regulated sustainable forests. In the aftermath of the 90's conflict, and with all the international agencies looking on, I would say that there were more anti-illegal logging measures put in place here than in most other countries. As for phyto-sanitary standards, all our wood (mostly beech and birch) and our palletts (fir) comply with all EC plant health directive regs - with ISPM 15 for the palletts. As a Brit with 3 kids, I have a vested interest in keeping the unhealthy stuff out of the UK and in ensuring that there are enough trees left for them to climb! Hope this helps...........

 

Duncan

 

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