Forestry in Wales

Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 2:01 pm on 17 January 2018.

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Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative 2:01, 17 January 2018

Minister, you'll be aware of the importance of the timber industry in my own constituency, particularly for businesses like Clifford Jones Timber in Ruthin, which, of course, is a significant employer and one of the main forestry-related companies, if you like—timber-related companies—in Wales. One of the concerns that they've cited to me, and was raised with the committee during the course of its work, was the shortage of the supply of wood, and the need to plant more wood in order to compensate for that. They tell me that if they had access to more reliable sources of wood, they would be able to expand their business and create more employment and wealth in north Wales. What specific action is the Welsh Government taking to drive up the availability of wood for use in the timber industry?