July 2001

TTF Welcomes Climate Change Deal
24 JULY 2001

The Timber Trade Federation has welcomed the recent climate change deal agreed in Bonn, which now gives a prominent role to forestry as an instrument for tackling global warming.

Mark O'Brien, the TTF's Head of Public Affairs said, " In our recent General Election manifesto we called upon the next Government to include forestry as part of a global effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. We pressed for forestry to be included as part of a country's carbon quota and this deal recognises the legitimate role forestry can play in meeting climate change targets. "

Michael Meacher MP, the Environment Minister has agreed to meet the TTF to discuss the role forestry will play in developing strategies to promote sustainable development in the run up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development next year.

Notes

1. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that up to 12 to 15% of the projected emissions from fossil fuels up to 2050 could be offset by measures to increase the amount of forested land. A tree absorbs 55kg of CO2 and gives of 40kg of oxygen in growing 2kg of wood.

2. CO2 emissions from industry, transportation and households are the biggest contributors to global warming.

3. Growing trees absorb carbon dioxide and therefore reduce the greenhouse effect. Sustainable and renewable forestry are playing their part in reducing CO2 emissions.

TTF MEET TRANSPORT MINISTER TO DISCUSS TRANSPORT PROBLEMS AND PRIORITIES
Thursday 18 July 2001

The Timber Trade Federation met today with Transport Minister, David Jamieson MP to discuss the impact of Government Transport policy on the UK timber trade.

The meeting discussed the forty-eight hour working time directive, congestion charging, the modernisation fund and the burden of fuel duty on the road haulage industry.

Mark O'Brien TTF Head of Public Affairs said, " The meeting was very positive and the Minister and his officials genuinely seemed to listen.

The TTF delegation warned the Minister about the consequences of the working time directive. The impact of increased congestion resulting from fewer journey's being made by the same drivers at a time when the road haulage industry is facing recruitment problems can only be counter-productive. The Minister assured us that it was no intention of the Government to damage business and that further negotiations still had to take place in the EU.

As regards congestion charging any exemptions or reductions for road haulage had to be decided on an individual local authority basis. The issue of attracting more people into the haulage business was a marketing and recruitment issue for the industry and £5 million was available through the Modernisation Fund. Involving local Learning and Skills Councils is one way of making progress in encouraging more people into the industry.

The least satisfactory part of the meeting was when the Minister and his officials seemed to argue that; the high cost of fuel could be offset by savings from improved fuel efficiency measures. The Government must be made to realise that any industry dependant on road haulage continues to be pressurised by disproportionately high fuel duty. We will continue to press the Government along with the CBI, CPA and the FTA to reduce this burden."

FOR FURTHER INFO CALL MARK O'BRIEN ON 020 7389 0126