KEEPING experienced contractors in the forestry sector 'must take priority' as they struggle to cope with soaring fuel costs, an industry chair has warned. 

Simon Bowes, England chair of the Forestry Contracting Association (FCA), said more has to be done to help long-serving workers navigate the current crisis before efforts turn to recruiting the next generation. 

While bodies such as Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) and Forestry England have pledged support, promising to adjust contracts in line with spiking fuel prices, Simon argued this doesn't go far enough and more urgency is needed. 

READ MORE: Forestry sector at risk of 'collapse' over 'unsustainable fuel costs' and red diesel changes, warns FCA chair

He said: "We have heard much talk of how fragile harvesting is, a critical lack of contractors, the sector on the brink of collapse etc ... the focus has been on bringing new people, young people, into forestry contracting. 

"Why would anyone want to become a harvesting contractor, or even work for a harvesting contractor? The issue now is keeping the hardened, experienced, lived-through-it-before contractors in the industry.

Forestry Journal: Simon has warned the industry is at risk of collapse Simon has warned the industry is at risk of collapse (Image: Stock image)

"The response from the only people who can make a difference in the current crisis has been pretty typical. Forestry England and Forest and Land Scotland were quick to offer assurances, Natural Resources Wales not so quick. 

"Fuel escalators were talked about and assurances offered but these haven’t materialised into anything concrete. It seems ... we’re being left to ride it out in the hope prices will at least stabilise in the next few weeks." 

Costs have risen rapidly in recent weeks, with red diesel going for close to £1.30/litre at the end of March, down from a high last month of around £1.50/litre, but up from just 72p/litre at the turn of the year. 

READ MORE: FLS promises 'fair pricing' mechanisms to limit impact of fuel costs on contractors

Comparing the current situation to the 1970s – where multiple energy crises saw fuel costs soar and stocks of petrol diminish – Simon added: "Unfortunately, we are all in this together, at least contractors, hauliers and merchants are and indeed anyone else involved via competitive tendering are all under threat and unless those who can effect change do so, and quickly, we will not have a homegrown timber industry for much longer. 

"All the great plans for turning the UK into a woodland utopia can be forgotten."