'Wood fuel is the key to sustainable woodland management' was the message delegates at a recent conference received, as key players in the UK's wood industry met in a Surrey woodland. Organised by Surrey Hills Enterprises, Friday's National Wood Fuel Conference was attended by over 200 delegates who came together at Denbies Vineyard in Surrey for a previously 'sold out' event chaired by Grown in Britain's Chief Executive, Dougal Driver.

Sponsored by LC Energy and Forestry Commission England, and in association with Grown in Britain and Country Land and Business Association (CLA), the event saw industry experts, including DECC, CIBSE and the Forestry Commission, presenting the solid case for wood fuel as the key to sustainable woodland management.

This national event, now in its 5th year, coincided with Grown in Britain week and also marked the launch of the new CIBSE (Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers) Guidance Manual on Biomass Heating which will guide the industry towards a higher level of professional and technical competence and ensure that wood fuel system installations benefit from best practice.

The conference was attended by several French delegates who are part of the European funded co-operation project called, ‘Local Wood Hub' which aims to create better opportunities for home grown wood in Brittany and Surrey, whilst changing the attitude of the general public towards the felling of timber.

Richard Edwards, Timber Manager at LC Energy spoke at length about the importance of current legislation being debated within DECC, which will determine the Biomass Suppliers List (BSL) eligibility through sustainability and land usage criteria. This in turn will define which supply chains the customers can use to qualify for the RHI scheme and will help to shape the way our woodlands are managed for the foreseeable future.

For a closer look at the presentations from The National Wood Fuel Conference, please visit www.thewoodfuelconference.co.uk

Surrey Hills Enterprises was set up in 2012 to promote the Surrey Hills as a national asset for the benefit of local businesses in order to enhance the community and conserve the heritage of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). To learn more visit www.surreyhillsenterprises or call 01483 661152.