Timber standard promoted

Press, 30 January 1988, Page 5

Timber standard promoted

PA Rotorua The timber industry would be shortsighted if it relaxed regulations on treating timber when it took control of the practice in April, said an industry spokesman. Mr Brian Poole, executive officer of the new Timber Preservation Council, said the industry could not afford to produce an inferior product when markets had still to be found. The council takes responsibility for overseeing the standard of timber treatment from the Timber Preservation Authority, a Government quango which will end on April 1. With it go regulations governing timber treatment. The council’s chief officer, Mr Jim Mord, said there was real concern that commercial gains might become more attractive to the industry than an adequate treatment standard. Mr Poole said that the council would maintain standards set by the authority and he agreed it was a matter of concern that there would be no Gov-

ernment regulations covering treatment. “The council is setting up a licensing scheme which will involve a specific woodmark for those who comply with the council’s rules,” he said. “The timber industry will promote that woodmark as a mark of quality and an indication that the timber is acceptable and approved. “Obviously there will be wood floating around without it, because some plants will not be with the council straight away, but we would expect they will come to us once the woodmark takes on. “Consumers should look for the woodmark and we expect to see it coming into local body by-laws,” he said. The Standards Association had already accepted the new council’s treatment provisions, including the woodmark, he said. Promotion of the woodmark was expected. Thirty-six staff throughout the country will lose jobs when the authority disbands but Mr Mord expects them to be absorbed into the Ministry of Forestry.