New Topics

HSE - FREE ARBORICULTURE SAFETY & HEALTH AWARENESS DAY (11/08/08)

On Tuesday 2nd September 2008, Myerscough College, Bilsborrow, Preston will hold a free Health & Safety Day. The event is aimed at arboriculturists, on how to avoid the most common causes of accidents and ill health which arise from their activities.

BIOCIDES AND PESTICIDES - CHEMICALS ASSESSMENT SCHEMES UNIT CONTACT DETAILS (07/08/08)

From the 31st July 2008 the new website should be used as a first port of call for all enquiries. Please click the link above.

INDEPENDENT REPORT HIGHLIGHTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOREST INDUSTRIES

A report just published identifies opportunities and challenges presented by climate change and associated legislation, government policies and targets. ConFor told an invited audience, including Welsh forestry minister Elin Jones AM, at the Royal Welsh Show, that the Welsh timber industry should be gearing up to take advantage of the opportunities.

NPTC REVIEW OF THE CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE IN FOREST MACHINE OPERATIONS (07/08/08)

NPTC is starting a review of the Certificate of Competence in Forest Machine Operations.
It currently has a questionnaire and a diagram showing the proposed qualification structure on the NPTC website and it will be available for comment until 31 August 2008.
Please follow this link to the NPTC website for the questionnaire: http://www.nptc.org.uk/latest-news/detail.asp?dsid=305

It is intended that this qualification will be reviewed and updated and should be available for accreditation in June / July 2009.
If you would like to get involved with this review please contact either Nanette Lane at standardsandquals@lantra.co.uk or NPTC directly.
Please note that the Occupational Standards for Heavy Machinery are also under review and Lantra is working with NPTC to link the two projects.

If you would like to be involved or would like further information please contact Ros Burnley (ros.burnley@lantra.co.uk).

MARKET RESEARCH - WOODFUEL (23/06/08)

FCA members are invited to answer a few questions by email to assist with a fellow member's market research into woodfuel:

1. Forestry contractors: Would you be able to give an approximate annual figure of what tonnage of timber you calculate is currently being left on the forest floor as waste? Do you often see jobs that are uneconomic to tender for, and would this be due to travelling costs or price of timber sales?

2. Arborist contractors: Approximately what annual tonnage of timber do you chip or bring back from jobs' log waste? How do you dispose of these arisings at present? If there was a depot to deliver the timber / chips to for an agreed payment to yourselves would you take it to such a depot?

Thank you in anticipation for your time; please submit any answers by email to rmyeomans@btinternet.com.

STATISTICS ON WOODLAND AREA, PLANTING & RESTOCKING PUBLISHED (16/06/08)

The latest National Statistics from the Forestry Commission show that nearly half of the UK's woodland is certified as sustainably managed, including all woodland managed by the Commission and the Forest Service of Northern Ireland.

FORESTRY MACHINERY OPERATIONS REVIEW (09/06/08)

Following the review of the Chainsaw Certificate of Competence and the revision of the National Occupation Standards by Lantra SSC, the Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Forestry Machinery Operations is going to be reviewed.
The review process will include the unit content as well as the qualification structure.
The review of the current units and structure will be out for consultation in June 2008.
Please send your comments and feedback on the Certificate of Competence in Forestry Machinery Operations to consultation@nptc.org.uk.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE IN CHAINSAW & RELATED OPERATIONS STRUCTURE CONSULTATION (09/06/08)

NPTC has finalised a new agreed structure for the Certificate of Competence in Chainsaw and Related Operations. NPTC is currently developing the content for each of the units and the FCA has been involved, representing members' interests.

JAMES PENDLEBURY APPOINTED HEAD OF FOREST RESEARCH (26/05/08)

Dr James Pendlebury has been appointed Chief Executive of Forest Research, the scientific research and technical development agency of the Forestry Commission.

STATISTICS ON TIMBER PRICES AND WOOD PRODUCTION AND TRADE PUBLISHED (20/05/08)

The latest National Statistics on Timber Price Indices and the latest National Statistics on UK Wood Production and Trade (provisional results) produced by the Forestry Commission have been released in accordance with the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.

NEW GUIDANCE ON ESTIMATING DEER POPULATIONS (20/05/08)

The Forestry Commission has published new guidance on estimating the numbers of deer in woodlands, in 'Bulletin 128: Estimating deer abundance in woodlands: the combination plot technique'.

BIO-ENERGY WORKSHOPS AT THE APF (28/01/08)

Four workshops to discuss and present the latest research findings and developments in renewable energy, including woodfuel, will be held on Friday 19th September 2008 at this year's APF International Forest Machinery Exhibition.

NEW GUIDANCE ON RED DIESEL USE IN AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND FORESTRY (16/01/08)

Following agreement with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency , the NFU, National Association of Agricultural Contractors and Confederation of Forest Industries have released a new Memorandum of Agreement giving guidance on the use of red diesel in agricultural, horticultural and forestry vehicles on the road.

This can be viewed at www.naac.co.uk or www.nfuonline.com.

FORESTRY / AMENITY PESTICIDE BOOK (27/11/07)

A new publication could be a valuable aid to those involved in weeding newly established crops; for more information click on the link above.

TIMBER HAULIERS MEETING: SATURDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2007, 9.15am -1pm, QUEENS HOTEL, LOCKERBIE (24/08/07)

2-DAY HYDRAULICS TROUBLE-SHOOTING COURSES - FOR AUTUMN 2007 (24/08/07)

HABITAT REGULATIONS AMENDED (24/08/07)

A number of changes are being made to the Habitats Regulations which increase the legal protection given to European Protected Species (EPS) in England. These changes came into force on Tuesday 21 August and affect land and marine management. The changes reinforce the European Habitats Directive in England and Wales, and form the UK response to a judgement in the European Court of Justice. As several of the species covered by the Regulations are found in woodland, this change has implications for how woodlands are managed and forestry operations carried out.

Further information and guidance is available on the Forestry Commission website at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/england-protectedspecies.

'TREE-LISTENING' TECHNOLOGY TO BE SHOWCASED AT TOP SCIENCE EXHIBITION (22/06/07)

Forestry scientists have been "listening to the trees" to improve business efficiency and reduce environmental impacts in the UK's wood supply chain.

And they will showcase this innovative acoustic technology at this year's prestigious Summer Science Exhibition in London, hosted by the Royal Society. (2 - 5 July 2007)

CONFOR SEEKS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE (14/05/2007)

The Confederation of Forest Industries (ConFor) has announced it is to seek the appointment of a new chief executive.

FORESTRY COMMISSION REVISES POLICY ON BIO-DEGRADABLE HYDRAULIC OILS (18/04/07)

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.

UK TIMBER'S GREEN CREDENTIALS (30/03/2007)

The green credentials of timber harvested from the UK's woodlands have been given a major boost in the findings of a new study.

CLASSIFIEDS UPDATES (06/02/2007)

HURRICANE KYRILL (06/02/2007)

Effects on Europe's forests and resulting wood quantities below 2007 timber harvest target.

TIMBER QUALITY MEASUREMENTS EMBEDDED INTO LOG SALES & PROCESSING (29/01/2007)

Measurements of timber quality and straightness are being incorporated directly into timber procurement and processing for the first time, in an innovative research and development partnership between the Forestry Commission and a leading sawmilling company.

GLA / FORESTRY COMMISSION STATEMENT (29/01/2007)

The Forestry Commission and the Gangmasters Licensing Authority have issued a joint statement on the current GLA's legislation.

TIMBER TRANSPORT FORUM FIELD TRIP AND CONFERENCE, FEB 2007 (19/12/06)

TIMBER PRICES INDICES PUBLISHED (27/11/2006)

The Forestry Commission has published the latest figures for the Standing Sales Price Index and the Softwood Sawlog Price Index for Great Britain.

HELP FOR LAND MANAGERS IN THE BATTLE AGAINST RHODODENDRON (30/10/2006)

The Forestry Commission has published a practice guide provideing guidance and advice for land managers on managing and controlling invasive rhododendron.

GANGMASTER LEGISLATION (19/10/06)

The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) has been set up to curb the exploitation of workers in the agriculture, forestry, horticulture, shellfish gathering and associated processing and packaging industries.

It is now illegal to supply workers to these industries without a GLA licence. If you are unsure whether you need to apply for a licence or require any further information, please contact the GLA for advice on 0845 602 50 20 or click on the hyperlink above to visit their website.

CONFOR APPOINTS POLICY & RESEARCH DIRECTOR (11/10/06)

CONFOR - FTA AMALGAMATION COMPLETED 01 SEPTEMBER 2006 (12/09/06)

RECALL NOTICE -PETZL WILLIAM AND AM'D BALL-LOCK REVISED USER INFORMATION (21/08/06)

We have identified a quality issue with a limited number of the M34 BL Am'D BALL-LOCK and M36 BL WILLIAM BALL-LOCK carabiners with the new metal locking sleeve: the sleeve may be unlocked without pressing the green button, so the locking system acts as a TWIST-LOCK, instead of a BALL-LOCK.

Following testing and analysis of current stock, we believe this issue may be present in approximately 5-10% of all BALL-LOCK carabiners that have the new metal sleeve.
This information does not apply to the older nylon-sleeve locking system, but only to BALL-LOCK carabiners with the metal locking sleeve manufactured in 2006.

There will not be a recall of these products because a non-conforming carabiner still functions as a twist-lock carabiner. However, Petzl takes great pride in the quality of its products and wants to replace those carabiners that are non-conforming.
Therefore, we suggest that you do the following:

Inspect all of your metal-sleeve BALL-LOCK carabiners following the simple procedure below OR return them to the Petzl distributor in your country for inspection and possible replacement. If you do your own inspection, you may return any non-conforming product to the place of purchase (or Petzl distributor in your country) for replacement.

We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your attention and patience. Petzl is constantly working to improve its methods of production and quality assurance.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Petzl distributor in your country with any questions you may have.

Best regards,

Marc GALY
Quality Manager

BALL-LOCK metal sleeve inspection procedure
Unlock, open and close the carabiner once as shown in the technical notice.

Am'D BALL-LOCK technical notice - WILLIAM BALL-LOCK technical notice
Grip the spine of the carabiner with your right hand so that your thumb is on the wider end of the carabiner (end opposite the hinge). Firmly grip the locking sleeve by wrapping the fingers of your left hand around it. Without pressing the green button, twist the sleeve firmly in the direction normally used to unlock the carabiner.

Inspection results
A non-conforming product will unlock easily with a single firm twist. Please do not apply excessive force as a single firm twist is all that is required to unlock a non-conforming product.
Conforming product will resist a firm twist and remain locked; again, please avoid excesssive force.

For further information please feel free to contact us by e-mail petzlconnector@lyon.co.uk or contact us by phone on 015396 25493 and ask to speak to 'Customer Services'.

NEW GUIDE TO FOREST FENCING (31/07/06)

Forest managers have traditionally used fences as one option to protect young trees from damage by herbivorous wild animals such as deer and rabbits.

However, it is an expensive control measure, particularly in remote areas or where access is difficult. It can also be contentious, drawing opposition from groups such as environmental organisations, ramblers, hill walkers and local communities.

It is therefore vital that the appropriate type of fence is designed, located and erected to high specifications, and then maintained properly to ensure that it fulfils its role cost-effectively and with minimal environmental and landscape impact until it has finished its job and can be removed.

The Forestry Commission has therefore published a new guide that updates its existing advice on forest fencing. It takes into account recent developments such as new fencing materials on the market, temporary and electric fencing, marking fences to reduce deaths of woodland birds from collisions, and the use of machinery.

Entitled Technical Guide: Forest Fencing, it was written by Roger Trout of Forest Research, and Harry Pepper, and replaces Forestry Commission Bulletin 102: Forest Fencing , first published in 1992.

It recommends best-practice principles for managers as a guide to planning, assessment and mitigation of adverse factors, and choosing the fence design appropriate for the target species. It also indicates the key practical steps in construction. It helps in identifying the normal specifications of components required to accommodate typical situations and when taking account of special local circumstances.

It presumes that those involved are already reasonably familiar with the techniques of installing agricultural stock fences, but outlines the factors involved in working with spring-steel line wires, hexagonal mesh and high-tensile netting products, which together create the recommended generic fencing options against rabbits and deer. Sections on choosing the correct specification for the species concerned, and adjustments to specifications in special situations, are provided, together with information on tools, safety aspects and maintenance, including the need to remove fencing when it is no longer required.

The guide is an A4-sized, 50-page booklet with full colour illustrations.

Technical Guide: Forest Fencing is priced £7.50 and can be ordered from Forestry Commission Publications, PO Box 25, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7EW; tel: 0870 121 4180; quoting stock code FCTG002. It can also be downloaded free from www.forestry.gov.uk/publications.

SEARCH FOR CITRUS LONGHORN BEETLES (20/07/06)

Defra is asking for the public's help to find any citrus longhorn beetles (Anoplophora chinensis) that may be in the UK.

The citrus longhorn beetle is a quarantine-listed pest that could pose a threat to trees in the UK. A small number of adult beetles, believed to be citrus longhorns, were found emerging from a potted Japanese acer/maple tree in a private garden in Shropshire early in July. One of these beetles was caught, photographed and then released before the beetles' identity was discovered. Last year similar sightings were made in Hampshire and Lancashire.

The citrus longhorn beetle originates in Asia, but it has been moving around the world in internationally traded bonsais and young trees. There is an outbreak of this pest in northern Italy. Although predominately a pest of citrus and apples, the beetle can also attack a number of other trees including beech, hazel, oak, maple and birch.

The larvae (grubs) of the beetle are the most damaging. They bore through the trunks, upper roots and branches of host trees, leaving them susceptible to wind damage and disease. Later, perhaps 2 years after the first attack, the larvae will pupate and then emerge in the late summer as adult insects, which will quickly seek out new host trees for the females to lay their eggs in slits they chew in the bark. The long period between egg laying and adult emergence explains how this pest can be moved from one country to another in young plants.

The beetles are large, 21-37mm long (about 1-1.5 inches), excluding the antennae, and black with variable white markings on their backs. Their antennae (horns) are longer than their bodies and are black with white or light blue bands. August and early September is thought to be the time of year when this pest is most likely to be seen.

In addition, all suspected findings must be reported. Anyone who spots a beetle that they suspect is a citrus longhorn beetle should trap it if possible and report the finding to the local office of the Plant Health and Seed Inspectorate (PHSI) on 01743 358333 or the PHSI HQ, York on 01904 455174 as soon as possible.

More information and photos can be found on the Defra website: www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pestnote/citruspics.htm

PEFC UK LTD ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS (20/07/06)

Following its Annual General Meeting on 5th July, PEFC UK Ltd has announced a number of changes to its Board of Directors.
Martin Gale CBE has been appointed as the new Chairman, succeeding Michael Clark who took on the role of interim Chairman in 2005. Clark has stepped down to devote more time to his duties as a PEFC International Council member and remains a member of the UK Board.
Gale, a senior figure in the UK timber industry, is currently Vice President of International Forestry at UPM-Kymmene Corporation; a Non Executive Forestry Commissioner; a Non Executive Director of BSW Timber plc; Director of Forest Industries (UK) Ltd and is a former President of the Confederation of Paper Industries.
Commending the progress the company has enjoyed under Clark's chairmanship, Gale commented: "Since 2005, PEFC UK has experienced promising growth in a number of areas including a rise in membership, a doubling of the number of logo license holders and a substantial increase in chain of custody certificate holders. This has been a very good year for PEFC UK and I am committed to building on these successes as well as promoting the generic unique value credibly certified wood delivers".
Ross Bradshaw Managing Director of TSP UK Ltd has also joined the Board of PEFC UK Ltd. Bradshaw began his career at Rank Xerox and brings valuable experience of the UK paper industry to the organisation. He takes up his position following the decision by Len Yull, a former Chairman and National Secretary of PEFC UK, to step down from the Board to pursue other forestry interests after a long and distinguished career stretching over 40 years in the industry.
Joanne Handley also stood down at the recent AGM.

HSE PUBLISHES REVAMPED GUIDANCE TO SIMPLIFY RISK ASSESSMENTS (11/07/06)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today urged businesses to spend less time dotting 'i's and crossing 't's and more time on putting practical actions into effect.

To help companies do this HSE has issued a revamped risk assessment guide featuring examples that spell out, in plain English, what is ? and what is not ? expected.
Launching the guidance, HSE's Deputy Chief Executive, Jonathan Rees, said: "We want to save lives, not tie businesses up in red tape ? good risk assessment is the way to achieve this. Risk assessment is at the heart of sensible health and safety. We believe it should be a practical way of protecting people from real harm and suffering, not a bureaucratic back-covering exercise. On its own paperwork never saved a life, it needs to be a means to an end, resulting in actions that protect people in practice. "I hope that this new, more straightforward guidance will help managers understand what's expected of them and get more focus on the kind of risks that cause real harm and suffering ? the ones that killed 220 workers last year and resulted in 35 million working days being lost.

This guide takes the user through the process step-by-step with the minimum of fuss to achieve this aim." The guidance Five Steps to Risk Assessment, which was first published in 1993, has been revised and simplified to make it even easier for normal business people, not just health and safety experts, to use. It also places greater emphasis on making sure that decisions are actually put into practice.
The 11-page booklet, which is also available free online at: www.hse.gov.uk/risk, provides advice and tips on five key elements to an effective risk assessment: identifying the hazards; deciding who might be harmed and how; evaluating the risks and deciding on precautions; recording findings and implementing them; and finally ensuring they are reviewed at regular intervals. This is supported by four examples of what a risk assessment might look like. The examples help emphasise that risk assessment need not be difficult and the paperwork need not be long and complicated. For most, bullet points work very well.

Copies of Five Steps to Risk Assessment, INDG163(rev2), are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, tel: 01787-881165 or fax: 01787-313995. Priced publications are also available from good booksellers. Alternatively the leaflet can be downloaded free from the HSE website at: www.hse.gov.uk/risk.

NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR NPTC (05/07/06)

NPTC has appointed Jack Ward, NFU regional director, to take over the post of chief executive from Bryan Jarvis who will be retiring at the end of the year. Armed with a wealth of experience of the landbased sector, Mr Ward aims to continue building NPTC as the awarding body of choice for the sector, anticipating and responding to its skills needs as it continues to meet the inevitability of change.

In his new role, Mr Ward will build on the strength of the City & Guilds Group, of which NPTC is a part, and NPTC's tradition of serving the sector, to ensure the qualifications and learning support that are needed are available to support the wide range of individuals working or aspiring to work in the landbased and associated industries. Ward said: "I am excited by the challenges presented by NPTC and the work of developing the skills for all those involved in the sector. The unique combination of City & Guilds as the leading vocational awarding body and the sector focus of NPTC provides a powerful opportunity to really make a difference to the benefit of the industries that make up this diverse and changing sector.' Michael Paske, Chair of NPTC, said: 'Jack's knowledge and understanding of the issues that face the sector coupled with his undoubted experience and strong networks makes him an excellent candidate to lead NPTC. He will be an asset to both NPTC and City & Guilds.'

CALENDAR SCAM (03/07/06)

It has recently been brought to our attention that a scam is operating throughout the UK concerning advertising in a forestry calendar and / or safety awareness handbook. This is not the first time that those within the forestry industry have been targeted. The FCA does not support this and we would urge all members to seek further information before incurring any costs.

NEW VERSION OF FOREST MENSURATION 'BIBLE' PUBLISHED (16/06/06)

Forest mensuration - the assessment of the sizes, shapes, volumes and biomass of trees, forests and felled timber - is a key skill vital to sustainable forest management. Now the Forestry Commission has published a new edition of the "forest mensuration bible" to update the advice and guidance on forest mensuration procedures. The first edition of the book, first published in 1975, has served as an industry standard manual for more than 30 years and is still in regular use by the forestry and timber industries, scientists and researchers. It has also influenced thinking on the presentation of mensuration procedures in other countries. The new book is written by Robert Matthews and Ewan Mackie of Forest Research, and is entitled "Forest Mensuration: A Handbook for Practitioners". Robert Matthews noted, "We have tried to preserve what was best about the original classic text, while introducing new material to address the needs of modern forestry. Overall, we have aimed to cut through some of the complexities of forest mensuration by making the text easy to read, providing a logical format, and giving additional advice to help readers find the information they need as easily as possible". A major change is made in the discussion of procedures for assessing standing volume, where low-cost abbreviated tariffing procedures have been incorporated alongside a simplified set of the methods published in the first edition. Another important revision deals with assessment of wood quantity by weight, where the procedure for assessment of volume from weight has been expanded and now gives more prescriptive guidance. A new procedure for assessment of dry weight - which is particularly relevant to the growing wood fibre and energy sectors - has also been included. "Forest Mensuration: A Handbook for Practitioners" is priced £24 and can be ordered from Forestry Commission Publications, PO Box 25, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7EW; tel: 0870 121 4180; quoting stock code FCBK039.

WOODLAND AREA, PLANTING AND RESTOCKING STATISTICS PUBLISHED (15/06/06)

Coverage Great Britain Theme Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry The Forestry Commission today published provisional statistics for total woodland area, certified woodland area, new woodland creation, and replanting of woodlands that have been felled. The statistics release gives figures for England, Wales, Scotland and Great Britain totals. Key statistics for Great Britain are: * the estimated woodland area in 2006 is 2.74 million hectares (12 per cent of the surface area of Great Britain). Of this, 0.77 million hectares is owned or managed by the Forestry Commission; * the total certified woodland area in 2006 is 1.18 million hectares, including all Forestry Commission woodland. Overall, 43 per cent of the woodland area is certified; * 8000 hectares of new woodland were created in 2005-06, mostly with broadleaved species; and * 14,000 hectares of woodland were restocked (replanted) in 2005-06, mostly with conifers. The First Release "Woodland Area, Planting and Restocking" is available on the Forestry Commission website at www.forestry.gov.uk/statistics. Paper copies are available on request. BACKGROUND: For more information about National Statistics visit www.statistics.gov.uk. Issued by Economics & Statistics, Forestry Commission, 231 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 7AT. Enquiries: Alister Henderson 0131 314 6337; statistics@forestry.gsi.gov.uk Website: www.forestry.gov.uk/statistics

DEFRA ANNOUNCES REVIEW TO ASSURE LEGAL & SUSTAINABLE TIMBER PROCUREMENT (09/06/06)

A review of five forest certification schemes will begin on 24 June to ensure that the schemes are providing adequate assurances that timber bought by the UK Government is legally and sustainably sourced, in line with UK Government policy on timber procurement. Interested parties are invited to submit comments and evidence to the Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET) before 24 June. The review will examine and assess each scheme's own published requirements and whether they are actually being applied but it will not look at the resulting impact on the forests and related ecosystems from which timber is sourced - that is done independently by accredited certification bodies . All schemes will be reviewed against the Criteria for Evaluating Certification Schemes , published in May 2006. There are currently four schemes that the UK Government accepts as providing adequate assurance of legal and sustainable timber sources. These are: Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). The Malaysian Timber Certification Council ( MTCC) assures only that timber supplies are legal. These documents and further details can be found on the CPET website at www.proforest.net/cpet. Comments on the schemes to be assessed are invited from interested parties via email to cpet@proforest.net by 24 June 2006. Only comments pertinent to the scope of the assessments, i.e. the compliance of the scheme's documented systems with the CPET assessment criteria, can be considered during the review. Notes to editors 1. Supplying timber from legal sources is a standard condition of UK Government contracts. Supplying timber from sustainable sources is optional but suppliers that offer it are given preference when bids are evaluated. It is therefore important that claims made by bidders for the source of their timber supplies are assessed to determine their credibility before any bid is evaluated. 2. Five forest certification schemes (CSA, FSC, PEFC, MTCC, SFI) were originally assessed against the Government's contract requirements for legality and sustainability in November 2004. A set of criteria was developed, on the basis of the contract requirements, for undertaking the evaluations. The assessment criteria are regularly reviewed and, where possible, improved in the light of experience. The results of the original assessments (together with associated re-assessments) were finalised as procurement guidance for public sector buyers in August 2005. 3. Some observers have expressed concerns with the absence of performance-related evidence when schemes are assessed. Forest certification schemes are assessed against criteria published on the website of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET). The guidance for interpreting the criteria was amended recently to allow system requirement adoption to be examined in addition to the scheme documents. The Government is not in a position to assess performance on the ground or the impacts of forestry on local communities – that is the role of independent verification – but can consider how a scheme registers and follows its system requirements. 4. The Government has previously announced that it will undertake regular reviews of all the certification schemes assessed.

NPTC CHAINSAW CERTIFICATION UPDATE (01/06/06)

In October 2005, changes were brought in that affected the certification of the old chainsaw blue books and old CS units. This confusion caused has led NPTC to release the following statement to help clarify the current situation: CS11 "Fell trees of diameter less than guide bar length" and CS12 "Fell trees of diameter up to 1.5 times guide bar length" are only partially equivalent to their replacements CS31 "Fell Small Trees" and CS32 "Fell Medium Sized Trees". This is because the latter includes take down of hung up trees, which in the old scheme was a separate unit (CS14). In the past, we allowed a candidate to "upgrade" a CS11 or CS12 to a CS31 or CS32 by just completing part 4 of CS31 or 32. This was particularly for candidates who needed CS31 as a pre-requisite for CS32 but only had CS11. Due to accreditation constraints and the fact that CS11 is so old that candidates holding it should now have attended at least 2 refresher training updates, we are no longer able to support this upgrade. We will only certificate people for the units for which they were assessed. This means that a candidate who holds CS11 and not 14 and wants to go on to do CS32 will have to take the full CS31 assessment as the pre-requisite requirement. To some candidates this may seem unreasonable but it is worth pointing out that as the HSE requires that operators should attend refresher training every 5 years, taking a new unit CS31 would be an effective way of covering that refresher requirement.

TIMBER PRICE INDICES PUBLISHED (26/05/06)

The Forestry Commission today published the latest figures for the Standing Sales Price Index and the Softwood Sawlog Price Index for Great Britain. The Standing Sales Price Index measures the average price received per cubic metre of standing sale timber from Forestry Commission sales. The index is expressed in real terms (1996 prices), and is adjusted for timber size mix. The Softwood Sawlog Price Index measures the average price received per cubic metre of sawlogs from Forestry Commission sales. The index is expressed in real terms (1996 prices). Sawlogs and standing timber are distinct markets, and may show different price movements from year to year. The main findings are that: * the Coniferous Standing Sales Price Index for Great Britain was 13.6% higher in real terms in the year to March 2006, compared with the previous year; * the average price per cubic metre overbark standing was £7.25 in nominal terms (£5.80 in 1996 prices) in the year to March 2006; and * the Softwood Sawlog Price Index was 6% lower in real terms in the six months to March 2006, compared with the corresponding period the previous year. The First Release "Timber Price Indices" is available on the Forestry Commission website at www.forestry.gov.uk/statistics. Paper copies are available on request. Further information is available from Simon Gillam, Forestry Commission Economics & Statistics Unit, telephone 0131 314 6280; e-mail: simon.gillam@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.

UK WOOD PRODUCTION & TRADE STATISTICS PUBLISHED (National Statistics news release) (22/05/06)

The Forestry Commission today published provisional statistics for 2005 in the First Release "UK Wood Production and Trade". The statistics cover three topics: * removals of roundwood (i.e. harvesting of wood from UK forests), estimated from deliveries; * production of wood products from primary wood-processing industries; and * imports and exports of wood products. The main finding on removals is that removals of UK roundwood in 2005 totalled 8.4 million cubic metres underbark, an increase of 2% from 2004. The main findings on UK production of wood products in 2005 included: * 2.8 million cubic metres of sawnwood were produced (an increase of 2% from 2004); * 3.5 million cubic metres of wood-based panels were produced (estimated; no change from 2004); and * 6.0 million tonnes of paper and paperboard were produced (a 3% fall from 2004). The main findings on trade are that: * UK imports in 2005 included 8.2 million cubic metres of sawnwood, 3.5 million cubic metres of wood-based panels, and 9.0 million tonnes of pulp and paper; and * the total value of wood product imports in 2005 was £6.0 billion, of which £3.9 billion was pulp and paper. Pulp and paper also accounted for the majority of exports, generating a total of £1.3 billion in 2005. The First Release "UK Wood Production and Trade" is available on the Forestry Commission website at www.forestry.gov.uk/statistics. Paper copies are available on request. Further information is available from www.forestry.gov.uk/statistics or from Alister Henderson, Forestry Commission Economics & Satistics Unit, 0131 314 6337; e-mail: statistics@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.

GETTING THE BEST OUT OF BRASH (16/05/06)

Brash is useful stuff. And managing the "brash" generated by forestry harvesting operations is the subject of a new Practice Note published by the Forestry Commission. Brash comprises the branches and tops of trees, and small, dead trees that are not suitable for conventional timber processing: in other words, the tree material that isn't usually removed from harvesting sites and sold. It can help to replenish the nutrients in forest soils while it rots down after harvesting; it can provide a habitat for insects and other woodland wildlife; it can provide a safe "mat" for heavy forestry machinery to operate on at the same time as protecting forest soils from compaction by the machines; and it can be used in the developing wood-fuel industry. Entitled "Managing Brash on Conifer Clearfell Sites", the Practice Note was written by Andy Moffat, Bill M Jones and Bill Mason of Forest Research. It provides guidance on the range of available options for brash management, and the possible consequences of each option. "Brash management is ... rarely considered in standard forestry texts," the Note reports. "Yet brash is an important component of the forest ecosystem, and its appropriate management can make a substantial difference to the sustainability of the site, the economics of harvesting and restocking, and the subsequent performance of the restock crop. "In addition, brash management is now not only just of interest to foresters, but also to those involved in environmental protection and wood fuel energy generation." It sets out the policy and regulatory context for brash management, the properties of brash, and the principles for management during and after harvesting. It points out that some of the principles covered in the Note will be relevant to thinning operations, broadleaf harvesting and continuous-cover sites, although the amounts of brash available are much lower there than that from conifer clearfell sites. The Note can be downloaded free from the Forestry Commission's website at www.forestry.gov.uk/publications. Free paper copies can be ordered from Forestry Commission Publications, P O Box 25, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7EW; tel. 0870 121 4180; fax: 0870 121 4181; e-mail: forestry@twoten.press.net, quoting stock number FCPN013.

THE LOWDOWN ON SEWAGE AND COMPOST IN FORESTS (16/05/06)

The value of using sewage sludges and composts to fertilise and condition forest soils has been known for many years. However, there is more to using them than simply spreading them in a forest or on a forest planting site. There are many factors, including legislative controls, which must be taken into account, and a range of decisions that must be made by anyone considering their use. Now the Forestry Commission has published an Information Note to help foresters and companies trading in sludge, compost and other organic waste products to make informed decisions about the use of sludge on forest land. The Information Note is entitled "Use of Sewage Sludges and Composts in Forestry", and was written by Andy Moffat of Forest Research. It updates guidance given in "A Manual of Good Practice for the Use of Sewage Sludge in Forestry", written by Wolstenholme et al and published in 1992. In particular it covers changes in forestry policy and practice, technical developments in waste-water processing that have led to diversification of the sewage sludge products available, and changes in legislation regulating the application of sludge to land. The Note also recognises that sewage sludge is only one of several types of organic waste now being produced. It is intended to fill a gap until even more comprehensive guidance, probably in a new best-practice manual, has been prepared. This is likely when draft regulations currently passing through the European and national parliaments are established, and when the water and waste industries have had time to respond in the way they produce and market organic products. The Information Note covers: the value of organic wastes in forestry; types of organic wastes; recent policy developments in waste disposal; regulations affecting the use of organic wastes in forests; the use of sewage sludge and compost on mineral and brownfield land; sludge and compost standards and quality control; application in practice; and the health and safety aspects of organic waste use in forestry. The Information Note can be downloaded free from the Forestry Commission's website at www.forestry.gov.uk/publications. Free paper copies can be ordered from Forestry Commission Publications, P O Box 25, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7EW; tel. 0870 121 4180; fax: 0870 121 4181; e-mail: forestry@twoten.press.net, quoting stock number FCIN079.

GETTING THE BEST FROM LARCH (16/05/06)

Larch trees are popular not only for their graceful beauty as landscape features, but also for the usefulness and durability of their timber. However, they have traditionally been a difficult species to establish in Britain. Despite its adaptability to a wide range of sites, larch trees' failure rates during the early establishment phase can be twice as high as those of Sitka spruce. Now a new Information Note published by the Forestry Commission summarises the most up-to-date information about why this happens and what can be done to improve establishment rates. Written by Mike Perks and Alan Harrison of Forest Research and Dr Helen McKay of the Forestry Commission, the Information Note is entitled "An Update on Nursery Propagation and Establishment Best Practice for Larch in Britain". It summarises the results of a series of experiments, including a synthesis of data from previous Forest Research publications, to provide information about recent advances in the propagation of hybrid larch using cutting production systems. It reports that: "Recent research has shown that cutting stock plant management, cutting root environment and the correct manipulation of subsequent nursery practices can increase the yield of marketable nursery stock." It describes these improvements in vegetative propagation, and the optimum time for handling, cold storage and planting. It reports that in the nursery, undercutting and wrenching improved subsequent survival, and in the field, planting position and weed control influenced growth and survival. Finally, it includes a summary of current best-practice guidelines. "An Update on Nursery Propagation and Establishment Best Practice for Larch in Britain" can be downloaded in PDF format from www.forestry.gov.uk/publications, or free paper copies can be ordered from Forestry Commission Publications, PO Box 25, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7EW; tel: 0870 121 4180; fax: 0870 121 4181; e-mail: forestry@twoten.press.net, quoting stock code FCIN080.