A GOVERNMENT minister has backed calls to recognise the pressing need to use wood in construction.
Edwin Poots showed his support for the 'Timber for Timber' manifesto during a visit to Balcas Timber, near Enniskillen, this week.
Launched by Confor last year to coincide with COP26 in Glasgow, the pledge set out how we could "make greater use of wood to transform our built environment" and included five recommendations "to rapidly scale up the global forestry and timber industries".
Mr Poots, the agriculture, environment and rural affairs minister of Northern Ireland, said: “I am pleased to visit Balcas to welcome and offer support to the global wood manifesto being promoted by Confor.
"This initiative calls on those involved in the use of harvested wood products to expand their markets to make much greater use of wood in the built environment.
“Supply of renewable timber from our local forests for commercial processing into high-quality and high-value building products generates significant economic activity in predominantly rural areas.
“Expanding this high-value market for locally-grown timber is an important element to underpin the forestry expansion programme here in Northern Ireland necessary to address our climate change challenges and deliver the wider biodiversity and health and well-being benefits that forests and woodlands provide.”
Recommendations listed in the manifesto, which was backed by partners from around the world, included; embed mandatory lifecycle assessments and embodied carbon thresholds within local and national building plans, increase the use of wood within new build and renovation, and drive the growth of the bio-based circular economy through sustainable public procurement.
Coming at a time where there are increased calls to promote the benefits of planting trees to grow timber, it is hoped it will also reduce the UK's reliance on imported timber.
Andy Leitch, Confor deputy chief executive, who joined the Minister on the visit, said: “I’m delighted that the Minister and Northern Ireland have a strong focus on the value of trees and forests, not least because of the immense contribution wood products can make in the development of a low carbon economy.
“Trees and wood can play a vital role in mitigating climate change. Trees soak up carbon as they grow, wood products store carbon - and using more wood can substitute carbon-heavy materials like concrete and steel.
“Therefore, to use even more wood, we need to grow more trees - and I welcome Northern Ireland’s ambitions to increase its woodland cover and integrate tree planting as part of agricultural and rural activity.”
The wood processing sector in Northern Ireland uses over 650,000 tonnes of round wood each year in the production of construction, fencing and packaging products.
READ MORE: Time for Timber: COP26 leaders told to recognise need for wood in construction
Balcas directly employs 380 people and makes a range of wood products, including timber for home building.
Brian Murphy, CEO of Balcas, said: “Balcas believes that sustainably-managed forests are critical for our future.
"We were delighted to host the Minister here today and show him how we utilise timber and wood fibre within our sustainable business."
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