Our forestry and timber industry is visibly weakening
As if the ASF crisis, the bark beetle crisis and last winter's particularly wet conditions weren't enough, Covid-19 has added another blow to the entire forestry and timber industry...
Businesses have been closing down one after the other for 2 weeks now, and it is becoming very complicated to deliver timber, even though the weather conditions now allow activities to resume in the forest, where social distancing is perfectly feasible in order to continue working (or to return to work in the PPA zone). Many construction companies have decided to cease operations. Many sawmills and pulp mills are limiting their supplies or even ceasing their activities in view of the drastic reduction in orders. On the other hand, export activity seems to be picking up somewhat.
Under the current conditions, it is particularly difficult to predict the future. The financial and economic situation of operating companies is likely to be particularly affected. This is all the more true for companies that have already been particularly hard hit by the 18-month ban on access to the PPA zone.
In this context, NTF and the SRFB believe that it is vital that forestry operators and companies are supported, because the future of the entire sector, starting with our forests and our timber, depends on it. We therefore wish to respond to the call for solidarity launched by the Belgian Wood Confederation.
NTF and SRFB invite forest owners
- to grant no-cost extensions to operating deadlines (Priority will of course continue to be given to the exploitation of bark-affected wood, insofar as outlets are still possible...);
- to accept requests for deferred payment by extending the necessary payment guarantees.
More than ever, NTF and SRFB believe it is urgent for the Walloon Region to adopt a forestry strategy that includes an effective risk prevention and control policy.