The Group was set up in December 2003 to raise awareness in Parliament of the issues of concern to the UK Wood Panel Industry, its employees and its customers.
The APPG holds regular meetings in order to discuss the effect of recent legislation on the industry, Government consultations and the contribution that the industry can make both to the environment and the economy.
The Wood Panel Industry produces 3.5 million m³ of Chipboard, Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) and Oriented Strandboard (OSB) per annum.
The industry employs 2,500 people directly, and a further 3,500 people indirectly. There are eight manufacturing sites in the UK, owned by four separate companies, and together they generate an annual turnover in excess of £600 million. These UK manufacturers supply approximately two thirds of the UK's consumption of wood-based panels.
The primary raw material used by the industry is from three sources:
- small forest roundwood from certified sustainable sources in the UK;
- sawmill products (sawdust and chips) from the sawmilling industry;
- post-consumer and post-industrial reclaimed wood.
The industry is the largest re-processor of reclaimed wood in the UK, re-using some 70% of the available material.
Chairman:
Vice-Chairmen:
Secretary:
Roger Williams MP
Treasurer:
Gregory Campbell MP
