February 2005

Promotion initiative to be postponed

9 February 2005

Plans for the introduction of the Promotional Premium Scheme, which would have provided a new system for the promotion of wood and wood products in the UK, have been postponed following decisions by two major groups not to support the scheme as a matter of policy. It was thought that without support from these two major groups, it was unlikely that other parts of the industry would be prepared to support the scheme.

The UK industry understands the need for generic promotion and enthusiasm for the idea of increasing funds available for promotion from UK sources is still strong. The decision to postpone the Promotional Premium Scheme provides an opportunity to examine alternative methods of funding generic timber promotion in the UK.

John Tong, President of the Timber Trade Federation said: “The decision to postpone plans for the Promotional Premium is a disappointment for all of us who have been working hard to introduce and sell the scheme to the industry. At a time when our industry faces an increasing number and variety of threats from competing materials, we need to rethink how we can generate more funds from the UK for generic promotion. A period of reflection is now required”

Jan Soderlind, Managing Director of the Nordic Timber Council, said: “Despite the fact that in the short term this decision is a step backwards, the Nordic Timber Council is committed to funding wood. for good in 2005. It is important that the UK industry shows a commitment to generic wood promotion and we look forward to examining steps and ways to encourage this in the months to come in collaboration with our UK colleagues.”