B&Q supports Grown in Britain
Published: 21 October 2013
B&Q has confirmed its support for Grown in Britain, as it continues to sell British-grown timber products in 356 stores across the country.
B&Q is supporting the Government backed initiative, that supports working woodlands, and it is the only major retailer to sell 100% responsibly sourced timber. This comes after it announced that it will only be selling 100% British hardwood logs this winter, as sales of British logs have more than doubled over the last three years.
This is part of the Good Woods programme, which is derived from the Grown in Britain initiative, as it aims to support British working woodland in a partnership between B&Q, sustainability charity BioRegional, forestry charity The Sylva Foundation and partner Lantern, which was established earlier this year.
The partnership aims to provide 200 woodland owners, across 10,000 hectares of woodland, in the south east and east of England with forestry advice, which hopes to strengthen links between communities and woodlands and increase jobs in the industry.
B&Q's director of corporate social responsibility, Matt Sexton, said the company is proud to support Grown in Britain. "We have a long heritage of leadership in sustainable timber sourcing and this year began a ground breaking Good Woods programme to help bring Britain's under managed woodlands back into active management.
"The project has already registered 100 woodlands on the Woodland Star Rating (WSR) assessment. The WSR enables the measurement of how good woodland management enhances ecosystem services and can be used to communicate this public benefit to both companies and the public."
Last week, Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs, Owen Paterson, received the Grown in Britain report and the Government has set up an action-based initiative that is focussed on invigorating the sector.
Ed Suttie of Grown in Britain commented: "B&Q support for Grown in Britain is a testament to the retailer's commitment to support the UK's forest and woodland industry. It will contribute to the rural economy and also the development of a wood culture in our communities."