DEAR EDITOR, 

I refer to the article in the last issue of FJ regarding the dire state of forestry in Wales (‘Industry hits out at Wales’ “anti-forestry atmosphere”,’ p14, FJ 359). It is good to see these issues have been highlighted, and to be honest it could be written for any part of Great Britain – as I say in the article, no-one is happy at the moment.

As I read the article I thought my comments didn’t come across as I meant them. In a world of polarised opinion I have always tried to give a balanced view of things, while ensuring issues for our members are kept in the spotlight. However, in this case I don’t think I did that and would like to take this opportunity to add some context.

The decision to amalgamate the various environmental concerns in Wales into one body in 2013 was a poor one. Forestry has been marginalised and the forest industry as a whole in Wales has suffered greatly as a result. This cannot be used to excuse the lack of investment in Welsh forestry.

Times are indeed hard and budgets tight. But again, this cannot be used as an excuse. Budgets, and where they are allocated, are a choice; be it from government, their bodies or policymakers. It is a choice to favour one thing over another and the stark reality is that the choice has been made that the forest industry in Wales, as well as in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, is not worthy of investment. And of course, the knock-on effect is that contractors feel the brunt of this decision. There is a common phrase which is apt here about substances rolling downhill.

So that there is no ambiguity whatsoever: the directors of the FCA, and its policy committees, represent our members and they are worried and angry. Contractors are the lifeblood of the industry and it is an industry that must change or it won’t survive. The biggest part of that change, and the first thing to do, is to invest in the people who do the work.

Regards
Nick Adams,
Vice-chair, English Policy Committee, FCA