Consultation on a proposal to amend the Plant Health (Forestry) Order 2005 to introduce a Statutory Notification Scheme for importing solid fuel wood into England and Scotland

Closed 17 Jun 2015

Opened 25 Mar 2015

Contact

0300 0675149

nick.mainprize@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Results updated 29 Jan 2016

Timber, forestry/woodland related organisations were alerted to the consultation and twenty five known solid fuel wood importers were contacted directly.

Eight responses were received to the consultation: four from importers of solid fuel wood and four from timber or forestry/woodland related organisations (i.e. Confor, Institute of Chartered Foresters, UK Forest Products Association and the Woodland Trust).

We have carefully considered the views expressed via the consultation and have tried to address the concerns raised and suggestions provided. We have now decided, with the agreement of Westminster and Scottish Minsters, to introduce the statutory notification scheme for non-regulated solid fuel wood as described in the consultation document. This requirement is likely to commence in April 2016 and we will be in touch with known importers and industry organisations closer to the time to publicise the scheme and to provide guidance and support.

Timber, forestry/woodland related organisations were alerted to the consultation and twenty five known solid fuel wood importers were contacted directly.

Eight responses were received to the consultation: four from importers of solid fuel wood and four from timber or forestry/woodland related organisations (i.e. Confor, Institute of Chartered Foresters, UK Forest Products Association and the Woodland Trust).

We have carefully considered the views expressed via the consultation and have tried to address the concerns raised and suggestions provided. We have now decided, with the agreement of Westminster and Scottish Minsters, to introduce the statutory notification scheme for non-regulated solid fuel wood as described in the consultation document. This requirement is likely to commence in April 2016 and we will be in touch with known importers and industry organisations closer to the time to publicise the scheme and to provide guidance and support.

Files:

Overview


This consultation is seeking views on the scope and means to implement a pre-notification scheme for the imports of solid fuel wood into England and Scotland.

We would like to hear the views from businesses within England and Scotland who import solid fuel wood[1] from the European Union (EU) and countries outside the EU.

The proposal is to introduce a statutory pre-notification scheme (SNS) for all imported consignments of solid fuel wood, whether from the EU or third countries, which are not currently required to be pre-notified to the Forestry Commission.

The scheme would require all importers importing fuel wood into England and Scotland, other than those already required to be registered with the Forestry Commission, to be registered with the Forestry Commission and to pre-notify all consignments prior to landing. The justification is the evidence that some unregistered importers have been importing regulated material which does not meet the UK landing requirements.

There is a risk that pests will be unknowingly introduced into the UK unless the plant health authorities have a means to determine whether regulated firewood is entering through routes for unregulated material.

How to respond:

Please download the consultation document below - full details of the consultation process can be found at the start of the document.

Please send responses to either:

plant.health@forestry.gsi.gov.uk for the attention of Nick Mainprize

or

Forestry Commission, Plant Health Service, Silvan House, 231 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 7AT or Tel: 0300 0675155.

 

 

[1] Solid fuel wood customs commodity code CN 4401 10 covering fuel wood in the form of logs, billets, twigs, faggots and similar forms.

 

Audiences

  • Commercial business
  • Wood processor - including timber and woodfuel production

Interests

  • Timber, wood products and woodfuel
  • Woodland management