A new report launched in the House of Commons this week warns that the UK’s heavy and increasing reliance on imported timber represents a growing strategic vulnerability for the country’s national security, economic resilience and housing delivery.
The report, ‘Timber: An Issue of National Security and Economic Resilience’, published by the Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor), argues that the UK’s dependence on imports for more than 80% of the timber it uses exposes the country to global supply shocks, geopolitical disruption and rising costs.
The briefing sets out the case for recognising timber as a strategic national material, comparable to food and energy security, and calls on government to take coordinated action to expand domestic timber production and strengthen the UK’s forestry and wood processing supply chain.
Ben Lake MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Forestry and Timber Security, said: “Timber is not just a rural or environmental issue. It is a strategic material that underpins housing, infrastructure and economic resilience across the UK.
“At a time when the UK imports more than 80% of the timber we use, it is right that Parliament and government begin treating timber supply as a national resilience issue. Strengthening domestic forestry and wood processing capacity will help protect supply chains, support rural economies and ensure the UK is better prepared for future global shocks.
“Global demand for timber is rising rapidly as countries shift towards low-carbon construction materials and more sustainable building systems. If the UK is serious about housing delivery, combating climate change, and supply chain resilience, we must ensure we are growing and processing more of this strategic material at home.”
“Timber security is national security. Treating timber as a strategic national resource will help secure the materials we need to build homes, support rural economies and protect the UK from future global supply shocks.”
Confor is launching a campaign calling for a coordinated cross-government approach to timber supply, embedding timber security within national security planning, industrial strategy and supply chain resilience frameworks.
Original source: www.confor.org.uk
