HL Deb 21 July 1997 vol 581 c145WA
Lord Moran

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made with research on the possible use of varieties of birch in commercial forestry in this country.

Lord Sewel

The Forestry Commission has asked the Timber Research and Development Association to investigate how modern technology has expanded the range of use for birch timber. The results of this investigation will be used to plan a research programme to help select appropriate varieties for planting. In the meantime, as part of a continuing project to improve the quality of birch in Britain, the Commission has established research plots of seedlings grown from seed collected from high quality stands in northern Britain. In addition, the Highland Birchwoods Initiative was set up in 1992 with the main aims of restoring and extending the birchwoods in the Highlands and promoting the positive management of birchwoods for conservation, amenity and sustainable utilisation of timber and other products.