Wales launches first timber industrial strategy to boost forestry and timber industry

 Thursday, July 24, 2025

On July 22 2025, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies unveiled ‘Making Wood Work for Wales’, marking the launch of the country’s inaugural Timber Industrial Strategy at the Royal Welsh Show. The strategy outlines six pivotal priorities designed to foster growth within Wales’s forestry and timber sector.

This historic initiative is the result of extensive collaboration between Wales’s timber industry and public consultations. The strategy is poised to drive increased timber supply, build resilience within the sector, and instil confidence to promote expansion. The government’s vision is clear: grow the volume of timber produced, while also enhancing the value of timber products manufactured in Wales.

Elaine Heckley, the Confor National Manager for Wales, praised the strategy’s development, noting its significance for the industry. She said, “This Strategy marks a historic milestone for the forestry and timber industry in Wales. It has been a hugely collaborative piece of work and signals a bright future for the sector, backed by strong political endorsement and with a clear purpose to grow the industry in Wales.”

Heckley highlighted the potential for the strategy to deliver productive woodland creation, fostering green jobs and producing more timber products to support the building of sustainable homes across the nation.

Political Support and Environmental Impact

Huw Irranca-Davies echoed Heckley’s sentiments, expressing his pride in the strategy’s launch. As the Minister responsible for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, he emphasized the dual purpose of the strategy: supporting the forestry industry while simultaneously contributing to Wales’s commitment to decarbonisation. “I am so proud to be launching Wales’s first-ever Timber Industrial Strategy today. I want our forests to be in active, sustainable and diverse use, providing economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits to the people of Wales for many centuries to come. This strategy will play a key role in that,” he remarked.

The Timber Industrial Strategy aligns with Wales’s green agenda, focusing on the importance of timber in the transition to a net-zero economy. As the world moves toward sustainability, timber’s role in decarbonising key industries, particularly housebuilding, has never been more critical. With its low carbon footprint, timber is seen as a pivotal material in reducing emissions associated with traditional building practices.

Stuart Goodall, the Chief Executive of Confor, welcomed the strategy, underscoring its potential to strengthen Wales’s rural economy. “Using more timber from Welsh forests will help Wales to strengthen the rural economy and create jobs, while also helping to decarbonise key sectors like housebuilding. I applaud the Welsh Government for publishing this strategy, and Confor looks forward to playing a key role in its delivery,” he stated.

Key Priorities of the Strategy

The Timber Industrial Strategy prioritises several objectives to ensure the growth of the forestry and timber sector in Wales, namely:

1. Increasing Timber Supply – The strategy aims to ramp up the amount of timber harvested, ensuring a steady and reliable supply for future needs.
2. Enhancing Industry Resilience – Strategies will be developed to help businesses withstand challenges and future-proof the industry against environmental or economic pressures.
3. Building Capacity – More resources will be directed to develop the sector’s capacity to process and utilize timber effectively, ensuring that Welsh timber products are competitive and high-quality.
4. Economic Growth and Green Jobs – By promoting timber use in building, the strategy seeks to create new employment opportunities within Wales’s rural communities, focusing on sustainable jobs within the green economy.
5. Supporting Innovation in Timber Products – Research and development will play a key role in improving timber processing technologies and expanding product types, ensuring the sector remains modern and adaptable.
6. Timber in Sustainable Construction – The strategy positions Wales’s timber as a key material in the construction of low-carbon homes, reinforcing the country’s push for sustainability.

The strategy also highlights Wales’s commitment to working with stakeholders across the industry to create a framework that will see tangible results over time.

Sector Collaboration and the Path Ahead

The introduction of this Timber Industrial Strategy has garnered significant support from industry members and the Welsh public, as demonstrated at the Royal Welsh Show. The event provided a platform for real-time feedback and engagement, allowing key players in the forestry and timber industry to voice their thoughts on the strategy’s goals and implementation.

As the strategy progresses, ongoing collaboration between the government, industry, and environmental groups will be crucial in achieving the set objectives. With its clear purpose and commitment to sustainability, this new initiative represents an important step toward a stronger, greener future for Wales’s forestry sector.

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