‘Grown in Britain’ movement aims to boost demand for British timber

A new programme with cross-Government support is aiming to make a lasting difference to the forests and woodlands of Britain.

Back in March 2011, Government invited an independent panel, chaired by the Bishop of Liverpool, to advise on the future direction of forestry and woodland policy in England. The panel reported back last July and called for England’s woods and forests to be re-valued for all the benefits they provide.  These benefits include the locking up of carbon, and the use of wood as a raw material for products including joinery, timber frame buildings, furniture, flooring, fuel, and paper.  It called for a revival of a woodland culture that appreciated how important trees are for people, nature and the economy.

The BWF welcomed the findings of the Independent Panel, and, after the government responded favourably to the report, it has now become the catalyst behind the launch of the new Grown In Britain programme.

Building on recommendation 18 of the report, the ‘Grown in Britain’ programme was hoping to capitalize on sector support for an industry-led, market-driven plan to boost levels of woodland management and creation via demand for British grown timber.

The Grown in Britain movement aims to:

1. Create a new and stronger market ‘pull’ for the array of products derived from our forests and woodlands.

2. Develop private sector funding that supports the planting and management of forests and woodlands through funding from corporates as part of their corporate social responsibility

3. Connect together and harness the positive energy and feelings towards our forests and woodlands that many in our society share to create a strong ‘wood culture’.  A wood culture that captures personal health and fitness, well-being, community and encourages use of more wood and forest products.

The programme is in the early stages of its development, but it was felt that to deliver long lasting results the plan should extend back from the wood product consumer to the forest floor, and seek to change the way in which wood is presented to, and bought by, end users. To succeed, the plan must stimulate change well beyond the forest and wood processing elements of the supply chain and must embrace contributions from a much wider cross section of business and society.

Development of the ‘Grown in Britain’ will be led by a panel chaired by Dr Peter Bonfield and comprising Chief Executives from retailers, contractors, developers and corporations in a position to change the way timber is procured and presented to consumers. Stuart Goodall will Chair a ‘supply side’ panel consisting of timber processors, woodland owners and managers, forestry trade associations and partnerships. This group will ‘translate’ the requirements of the demand side panel into action in our forests and woodlands.

‘Grown In Britain’ is keen to help organisations and individuals find ways of becoming positively involved and develop the 'wood culture' required to change the way society views and values our woods and forests.

Companies can get involved by engaging with activities, events and projects, and can pass their ideas and suggestions on to the Grown in Britain team. The logo can be used to brand any wood culture activity or relevant offering, and will soon be available for appropriate products.

You can view a list of the organisations currently involved on the Confor website.