THE key part being played by the forestry and wood processing sectors in the Covid-19 pandemic has been hailed by Fergus Ewing, Scottish rural economy and tourism secretary.
Mr Ewing highlighted the contribution that they are making in producing key products such as pallets, packaging, biomass fuel and face masks, to help keep Scotland and the UK safe and well during the pandemic.
He said: “In these challenging and difficult times, it is imperative that essential goods, such as food supplies and medicines, and biomass fuel for hospitals and care homes get to the places where they are needed.
“This needs pallet manufacture and wood-fuel processing to continue."
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He added: “I am immensely proud that Scotland’s forestry and timber processing sectors are working closely together to play their part in fighting the impact of this virus.”
Pallets are needed to transport goods such as pharmaceuticals and food, and pallet manufacturers currently use around half of the 3.7 million cubic metres of sawn timber produced in the UK every year.
Wood pellets are often used in heating systems that have no alternative or back-up system and are produced continuously. Both require an unbroken supply of timber from Scotland’s forests.
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David Signorini, Scottish Forestry chief executive, said that “Covid-19 will undoubtedly have a longer-term impact on forest operations and on planting targets in Scotland".
He said: “However, it’s clear that forestry has a major role to play in keeping Scotland moving.
“Land managers will each decide how best they can make an immediate contribution to supporting the national effort to manage this health crisis.
“But their first priority must be to keep staff and the public safe and so they must follow Government and NHS advice in doing this.”
Felling is confined to meet the essential business demands.
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