The forestry and wood industry has responded to the Government announcement that the sale of wet firewood, one of the most polluting types of domestic fuel, will be phased out from February 2021.
The announcement by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is in line with Confor’s response to the government consultation on domestic burning.
Caroline Ayre, National Manager for England for Confor – the trade body for forestry and wood-using businesses – said,
“Processing and seasoning high-quality firewood is an important business for many of our members. We recommend customers Buy local – burn local and choose firewood with the Woodsure Ready to Burn label.
“Local firewood not only supports UK jobs and the rural economy, it is also crucial to managing our native woodlands. This is vital to ensure these woodlands’ health and existence as carbon stores and biodiversity habitats for the long term.
“Buying local seasoned firewood also helps to protect our woodlands from invasive pests and diseases, which can be imported on wet wood.”
Environment Secretary George Eustice said:
“By moving towards the use of cleaner fuels such as dry wood we can all play a part in improving the health of millions of people.This is the latest step in delivering on the challenge we set ourselves in our world-leading Clean Air Strategy.”
Read Confor’s response to the domestic burning consultation here.
Find out more about Ready to Burn accreditation here.
Read Defra’s announcement here.