UPDATE: Tilhill's forest management certificates restored by FSC

FORESTRY officials say the decision to suspend a leading firm's forest management certificate was "not taken lightly" and is "unusual" in the UK.

Tilhill Forestry's FSC and PEFC Forest Management Certificates were paused earlier this month after repeated "non-conformities". It's understood the suspension was dished out as a result of PPE failures at one of the group's sites. 

Bosses at the group – one of the largest in the country – say they have taken the news "seriously" and hope to see a swift resolution. 

Addressing the decision, a spokesperson for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) UK said: "The suspension of an FSC Forest Management certificate is not something that is taken lightly and is unusual within the UK. 

"It is part of an escalation process within the standard auditing protocols. 

"It results from a scenario where a certificate holder has either been found to have a repeated non-compliance on a particular element of the FSC National Forest Stewardship Standard or failed to provide evidence that a non-compliance has been addressed within an agreed timescale. Forestry Journal: Bosses at the BSW Group – one of the largest in the country – say they have taken the news seriously and hope to see a swift resolution. Bosses at the BSW Group – one of the largest in the country – say they have taken the news seriously and hope to see a swift resolution.  (Image: FJ/Stock/Jack Haugh)

"Any necessary corrective actions and their associated deadlines are always made clear to the certificate holder by their auditors, and the escalation process is stated. 

"FSC UK understands that processes are underway between Tilhill Forestry and its Auditors, the Soil Association, to ensure a quick resolution, and reinstatement of the Forest Management Certificate as soon as it has been confirmed that the necessary requirements have been met."

Tilhill's portfolio includes 208,828 hectares of woodland, with the certification now suspended at locations such as Buccleuch Woodlands, the Clinton Devon Estates, and Wales' Llwyndrissi. However, harvesting work can continue. 

A statement from Tilhill's parent company, the BSW Group, read: "Tilhill Forestry’s FSC and PEFC Forest Management certificates have recently been suspended due to two non-conformities onsite

"BSW Group takes this very seriously and we are working closely with the onsite team and the certification body to resolve this as soon as possible. 

"We are taking the required actions to rectify the issues, and are confident that the certificate will be reinstated swiftly."