Respondents to the industry surveys run by Forest Research were asked to report on volumes of wood that is certified. 71% of private sector softwood removals in 2018 were from certified sources (Table 2.28). The percentage of private sector softwood removals that are certified has fluctuated over recent years; industry experts have indicated a general reduction in the level of certification amongst smaller estates and an increase in production from larger estates.
As nearly all removals from Forestry England, Forestry and Land Scotland, Natural Resources Wales and Forest Service woodland are certified, this equates to around 82% of all softwood removals in 2018 from certified sources.
64% of sawmills’ roundwood consumption in 2018 was certified. For round fencing manufacturers, 54% of total softwood consumption was certified.
Year | Removals | Sawmills | Round fencing manufacturers | |
Softwood from Private sector woodland | Total softwood (including all removals from FE/FLS/NRW/FS woodland) | Consumption (softwood and hardwood) | Consumption (softwood) | |
per cent certified volume | ||||
2009 | 68 | 87 | 74 | 50 |
2010 | 73 | 87 | 74 | 62 |
2011 | 72 | 85 | 68 | 61 |
2012 | 70 | 84 | 71 | 60 |
2013 | 76 | 87 | 69 | 55 |
2014 | 72 | 84 | 70 | 69 |
2015 | 69 | 83 | 66 | 71 |
2016 | 66 | 82 | 69 | 70 |
2017 | 75 | 86 | 70 | 64 |
2018 | 71 | 82 | 64 | 54 |
Source: industry surveys
Notes:
1. The accompanying data tables include a country breakdown of certified softwood removals for 2018. These are currently Experimental statistics.
Sources chapter: Timber