Who are the Timber Trade Federation?

The Timber Trade Federation (TTF) is the UK trade association for timber agents, importers and merchants. TTF members therefore account for the majority of the 18.1 million cubic metres of roundwood and sawnwood and the 6.7 million cubic metres of panels (particleboard, fibreboard, plywood and veneers) currently imported into the UK (Forestry Commission 2003). Within the Federation, Forests Forever was established in 1990 to represent the timber industry on environmental matters and is now recognised as the environmental voice of the timber industry.

The environmental strategy of Forests Forever continues to be: ‘to promote the environmental case for timber and timber products, promote sustainable improvements in the environmental performance of the timber industry, encourage sustainable forestry practices and provide education and information to the timber industry and the general public’. Forests Forever, 2004 Forests Forever recognises that in many countries the timber sales contribute to the rural economy, therefore a continuity of supply is best achieved by encouraging the forest owners to engage in sustainable forest practices.

A recommended approach is to develop dialogue with the governments, environmental non-governmental organisations and industries in supply countries to look at securing timber from legal and well-managed supplies. Since 2002, members of the Timber Trade Federation have operated under a Code of Conduct, which outlines the terms and conditions under which they are expected to trade.

Specific Codes of Practice were developed for the hardwood, softwood and panel product divisions, as well as for the members responsibility towards the environment. The Environmental Code of Practice outlines how: ‘Members are committed to sourcing their timber and timber products from legal and well managed forests’. ‘Members recognize that the independent certification of forests and the process chain is the most useful tool in providing assurances that the timber they deal in comes from legal and well managed forests’.