LOGBOOK: NEW FUND PROMOTES TIMBER BUSINESS.

A new blueprint designed to boost business efficiency in the timber industry was launched by Environment Minister Michael Russell. The Timber Development Programme is a #1m initiative, which will deliver 60 actions over the next three years, through a series of partnerships between the forestry and research sectors.

An industry-led steering group chaired by John Kissock OBE will assist Forestry Commission Scotland in prioritising the delivery. The programme will facilitate innovative research to increase timber use in construction, improve market information to encourage investment and support sustainable management of our forests to grow high quality timber.

Mr Russell said: `The Timber Development Programme will add value to this important sector of Scotland's economy. The outputs of many of the initiatives will contribute significantly to Scotland's response to climate change by encouraging more use of timber as a renewable resource in construction and minimising the impact of timber transport on our environment. I am particularly encouraged by the level of enthusiasm and support from the timber industry for this initiative'.

The Timber Development Programme has four key objectives:

To promote a predictable and stable timber supply. One aim is to produce a more accurate long-term forecast of timber production from the private sector. This will provide the industry with greater confidence to identify and plan for development and investment opportunities.

To encourage more use of timber and timber products. A key output is to continue to support specific activities where there is a clear market opportunity for home grown timber. Work is also to be commissioned to compare the carbon impact of wood with other materials in a range of building types.

To encourage improvements to the timber supply chain efficiency. Initiatives such as the Strategic Timber Transport ...