FORESTRY COMMISSION REVISES POLICY ON BIO-DEGRADABLE HYDRAULIC OILS

From June 1st this year it will no longer be compulsory for contractors working in Forestry Commission forests to have converted to the use of bio-degradable hydraulic oils in purpose-built forwarders and harvesters.

The change follows a review of the Commission's bio-oils policy for these machines, in which it was concluded that for many contractors, the costs of converting to bio-hydraulic oils significantly outweighed the benefits.

The use of bio-degradable chain oil will, however, continue to be compulsory for contractors. And the Commission's own machines will continue to be required to use bio-chain and bio-hydraulic oils as a best practice standard for the industry.

Summarising the policy review, Doug Mitchell from the Commission's Operational Support Unit said,

"The UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) states that bio-degradable oils should be used 'where practical'. 'Practical' is generally interpreted as encompassing operator health and financial costs.

"The appropriateness and desirability of this policy has been under scrutiny for some time, and among the concerns we took into account in our review were the increased costs to the supply chain, perceived risks to operator health, perceived risks to technical performance, and environmental risks and benefits.

"When weighing the significant cost and practical implications against risks and benefits, we concluded that the overall benefit from the use of bio-degradable hydraulic oil is marginal. "So although we continue to promote and encourage the use of bio-degradable hydraulic oil as industry best practice, our revised policy takes into account the full range of issues involved for contractors.

"The response from our consultations with the industry has been very positive, and we have confirmed that our revised policy is compatible with the UKWAS.

"Contractors are respectfully asked to note that although we are relaxing our policy on hydraulic oils, we will be enforcing the continuing requirement to use bio-degradable chain oils."

Further information about the Commission's revised policy on the use of bio-oils in purpose-built harvesters and forwarders in its forests is available by contacting Doug Mitchell by e-mail at doug.mitchell@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or by telephone on 0131 314 6446.