Supporting the Coppice Industry

NCFed shared Grown in Britain's post.

4 days ago

Dougal will have a stand at the Gathering and will talk to coppice workers from around Britain about the coppice scheme. ... See MoreSee Less

NCFed

5 days ago

“Defra consultation on cleaner domestic burning of solid fuels and wood”. -Ncfed has, on behalf of its members, submitted the letter below to Defra.
If you have not already done so,YOU can still submit your own responses by the Friday 12th October:
consult.defra.gov.uk/airquality/domestic-solid-fuel-regulations/

“Dear Sir or Madam
I am writing in response to your call for consultation on the ‘cleaner domestic burning of solid fuels and wood’. The National Coppice Federation represents coppice workers (our membership is over 500 strong) who are engaged in various ways in actively managing our woodland resource. One strand of coppice businesses is selling firewood, although this may be secondary to other income streams such as charcoal, hurdlemaking, cleft fencing and other coppice products.
Hence, the firewood element, although essential to the overall profitability of our businesses, is not large and may account for less than £5000 a year in many cases.
As an industry we tend to be ecologically minded, and in principal support all efforts to reduce environmental pollution. We actively promote good practice in seasoning wood to reduce moisture content of wood sold for domestic use in wood stoves.

However, we have grave concerns that schemes that are set up with the best intentions to regulate the sale of wet wood, without considering the consequences, will be prohibitive to some of our members on the grounds of cost, therefore jeopardising their overall profitability.
We would insist that small scale businesses are protected under any new legislation to avoid any unintended consequences of what is an otherwise commendable move to improve air quality.
We would hope to see:
· A phased introduction for any ban on wood exceeding 20% moisture content to take full consideration of the extra storage space and time required to air dry timber to meet this demand. (Producers may have to move from selling 12 month seasoned logs to 24 month)
· Specific facility for small scale producers to sell directly to people wanting to air dry their own fuel supply
· Affordable assurance schemes which take into account the turnover of the businesses effected.
· Exemption for roadside sales

We hope our concerns will be given due consideration when evaluating the responses to this consultation process. We would be happy to engage further in any debate on this issue.”

Yours sincerely
Rebecca Oaks
NCFed Secretary ... See MoreSee Less