Britain’s reliance on imported timber will come under scrutiny at a new series of industry debates being launched at APF 2026 next month.
Talking Forestry will bring together forestry leaders, researchers and practitioners to examine timber security, climate change, skills and public attitudes. The free programme runs throughout the three-day APF exhibition at Ragley Estate, Warwickshire, from 24-26 September.
One of the main sessions will ask whether forestry should be treated as a national security issue. The UK imports about 80% of the timber it consumes, raising questions over future domestic supplies as demand for wood increases alongside environmental pressures.Forestry Commission chair Baroness Barbara Young and chief executive Richard Stanford will discuss how Britain can meet its timber requirements while balancing woodland management with recreation, net zero and nature.
Future forests
Climate resilience will also feature prominently. A panel will examine which tree species should be planted now to cope with the conditions forests could face in 50 years. Speakers include David Edwards, knowledge exchange and impact coordinator at Forest Research; Eleanor Tew, head of forest planning at Forestry England; Mark Broadmeadow, head of climate change at the Forestry Commission; and Rob MacKenna, general manager at James Jones and Sons.
Farmers will also be targeted. Yorkshire farmer Rebecca Wilson will join Forestry Commission national agroforestry adviser James Ramskir-Gardiner to discuss the barriers to getting more trees established on farms. Other sessions will examine tree pests and diseases, biosecurity, workforce skills and steep-ground harvesting. The programme opens with a debate on public perceptions of commercial forestry and whether the industry needs to explain its role more effectively.
Talking Forestry has been developed by Forest Research, the Forestry Commission and Forestry England, working with Confor and sponsor Tilhill Forestry. The sessions will take place in the APF Seminar Tent and are free to attend.