Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Accepted
Paragraph: 119
Significant scope exists to increase domestic timber production despite import reliance and land limits.
Conclusion
Against a backdrop of increasing demand, the UK’s softwood timber production is set to peak in the late 2030s before falling back to current levels in the 2040s. Given the UK’s heavy reliance on timber imports and the potential negative impacts that increased UK and global demand could have on the planet’s most ecologically sensitive and biodiverse forests, it is right that the UK should do more to meet a higher proportion of its timber consumption through domestically grown timber. It is unlikely that the UK will be able to fully supply all its timber needs domestically, especially against a backdrop of increasing demand and limited land availability. There is nevertheless scope to increase domestic timber production.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the importance of increasing domestic timber production and highlights its England Trees Action Plan and statutory tree and woodland target to achieve 16.5% cover by 2050, which aims to stimulate increased planting of both hard and softwoods for multiple benefits.
Paragraph Reference:
119
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government agrees that the forestry and timber sectors will be crucial nature-based solutions as we work towards Net Zero and reverse the decline in biodiversity. The Government’s England Trees Action Plan (ETAP) sets out our vision for a thriving forest economy which contributes to the local economy of rural communities whilst also meeting our national objectives on climate and nature. We have legislated for a statutory tree and woodland target to increase tree canopy and woodland cover of England to at least 16.5% by 2050, equating to 250,000 hectares of trees. The Government acknowledges the Committee’s call to plant more conifer and we recognise that some stakeholders are calling for the same. Our new statutory woodland cover target will stimulate increased tree planting of both hard and softwoods and we are improving regulatory processes to make tree planting easier while retaining strong environmental and biosecurity safeguards. Commercial conifer planting is an important part of our overall planting, and we need all types of planting to meet our woodland cover target. We want to encourage mixed woodlands that serve a variety of environmental, productive and amenity purposes. We are making sure our trees are resilient to climate change through the Seed Sourcing Grant and Tree Production Innovation Fund and actions under the Tree Health Resilience Strategy.