It is the only one of the four UK nations not to have a dedicated forestry government agency. Now, sector leaders and those on the ground have told of their concerns for the industry in Wales.
CONCERNS have been raised that there is an “anti-forestry atmosphere” in Wales amid complaints over “damaging” paperwork delays.
Officials at Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have been accused of “not liking the industry” and seeing it as “an inconvenience”.
Some timber merchants have claimed the government agency is more interested in creating “Center Parcs for London couples” than supporting productive forestry, with sector leaders suggesting work has been “dropped at short notice on a large scale”.
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In response, NRW said it worked hard “to balance the needs of all our stakeholders so that we achieve the very best for the economy, for people and for wildlife”.
Elaine Harrison, Confor national manager for Wales, said: “We are aware that contractors have experienced a negative financial impact this season due to NRW’s budget issues. From conversations with the Forestry Contracting Association (FCA), it seems dropping work at short notice has been happening on a large scale.
“NRW has committed to 732,000 m3 over-bark standing (obs) in 2024/25, a decrease from original delivery targets that will be impacting contractors and the wider sector. Planting plans are currently verified at 684 ha, but members have been reporting the Welsh Government is slow to approve, inspect and issue payment. Confor has been working with Welsh Government to communicate these concerns and has found reassurance that the WG is working through these plans, be it slowly.”
The accusations come shortly after it emerged NRW had failed to meet its target of selling 721,500 m³ obs of timber as a sustainable harvest during the 2023/24 season, with 707,000 m³ obs put to market. However, 628,000 tonnes of certified timber were uplifted from the Welsh national estate during that time, which was a rise on 2022/23’s 561,000 tonnes.
But, as in other parts of the UK – which have also been beset by complaints over paperwork delays and accusations of conservationism being prioritised over productivity – contractors and timber buyers believe they are being let down.
It’s understood feelings of discontent came to a head during a recent meeting with NRW. At an annual customer liaison event, Forestry Journal has been told there was little to no mention of timber or productive forestry, with officials instead talking about lead mines and other environmental ambitions.
“They (NRW bosses) are trying to put people off doing the job, and it feels like there is an anti-forestry atmosphere in Wales right now,” one timber merchant told FJ.
“It’s extremely difficult to plan for any work in Wales because of this.
“I feel like NRW is trying to turn its woodlands into Center Parcs.”
When asked how they feel NRW views commercial forestry, the business owner said: “We – as in, forestry – are an inconvenience and they don’t like us.”
The concerns come at a time of unrest among many rural industries in Wales. In one of his first major moves as rural affairs secretary, Huw Irranca-Davies delayed the “controversial” Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) until 2026 amid nationwide protests, mainly led by farmers and farming groups. While they pointed to several concerns about the scheme, many of them centred on a 10 per cent tree-cover target, which was cautiously supported by forestry groups.
“It has to be pointed out, the Welsh Government set the ambition to plant 43,000 hectares of new woodland by 2030 and 180,000 hectares by 2050 to help Wales meet its carbon emission reduction targets,” Elaine added. “This would be the equivalent to planting at least 5,000 hectares per year. Seeing targets like this, it’s easy to understand the frustrations.
“In a recent consultation on the SFS, Confor pushed for Welsh Government to consider landscape-scale forestry, to encourage landowners and farmers to work together to create forests at scale that are financially commercially viable to manage.
“Strategically, the Welsh Government needs to focus on how to increase forestry in Wales on agreed areas that complement the other rural land uses, reduce the barriers and incentivise landowners.”
Concerns around forestry being absorbed into a multifaceted government agency are longstanding. Formed in April 2013, NRW took over the functionality of Forestry Commission Wales, the Countryside Council for Wales, and the Environment Agency in Wales. As well as forestry, the organisation today oversees the likes of energy and waste. Wales is the only one of the four UK nations to no longer have a standalone forestry body, and FJ understands some members of NRW’s forestry team would also like to see the industry placed under a separate, forestry-focused agency.
Nick Adams, who represents the FCA, said: “I understand where those comments are coming from, but what people have to bear in mind is that NRW is not a forestry organisation as such; it is an all-round environmental agency.
“It is a balance between land management and forestry, with environmental factors coming into that.
“I’ve not necessarily had anyone approach us about this, but everyone in Wales is generally unhappy at the moment, whether they are harvesting, planting, spraying, or fencing. It is also the same in England and Scotland.
“But that’s more because times are hard and budgets are tight. That’s the vibe you get when you meet people on site.”
Concern over how forestry is viewed in Wales is also having a knock-on effect on the wider business picture, according to the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).
“The general uncertainty in terms of Welsh Government budgets and land-use policy means it is difficult for business to investment in Wales,” a spokesperson said. “The SFS and the general difference between Wales and Scotland in terms of land prices and the size of available farms on relatively poor ground suitable for trees is a broader picture from the perspective of really big commercial conifer investors likely to significantly affect the timber supply (i.e. 500-plus hectares).
“The changes to the 1967 Forestry Act mean some commercial operators can have their felling licence changed after it being granted. This was not supported by the CLA or indeed anyone else we spoke to as part of the associated consultation. ‘Moving the goalposts’ after an often costly and time-consuming process for granting a licence just adds to the general uncertainty businesses face in Wales.”
The spokesperson added: “Members have told us the time taken to approve felling licences and keep in contact with applicants is poor.”
StJohn Ashworth, NRW’s timber sales and marketing manager, said: “We manage the Welsh Government Woodland Estate to make sure it supports the delivery of the Welsh Government’s Woodlands for Wales strategy. Each woodland is unique, and we manage them individually to ensure they can provide the best possible balance for people, the environment, wildlife, and sustainable timber production.
“As the largest grower and supplier of certified timber in Wales, our Timber Sales and Marketing Plan communicates our approach to the harvesting and marketing of timber from the woodlands and forests we manage, supporting employment and rural livelihoods.
“NRW is committed to offering timber for sale in an open and transparent way which demonstrates best value for money for the public purse.
“The woodland estate offers multiple benefits to Wales.”
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