The Netherlands timber industry has raised concerns about the impact of the recession on demand for sustainbly produced timber and the lack of willingess by consumers to pay more for the product.

The Royal Netherlands Timber Trade Association (NTTA) delivered the warning as it reported that it had fallen short of its target of member imports of sustainable timber, despite a rising trend overall.

The NTTA said demand for sustainable timber was lower than expected and the recession was making it difficult for suppliers to secure a premium for this material. With supply exceeding demand, traders were having to mix it in with other stock and sell it as uncertified.

“This undesirable development poses a threat to sustainable forestry,” said the organisation. “Lower demand may lead to a drop in certified sustainable forestry, a development of which the first signs are becoming visible.”

The NTTA and Dutch joinery association are now jointly developing “policy and action” plans called “Smart with timber” and “Conscious with timber” to boost demand for sustainable wood with CoC.

The goal is to make use of FSC and PEFC timber standard practice in the country.

In 2006 the organisation set members the goal of ensuring that by 2009 “75% of the timber [they import] must originate from demonstrably sustainable sources”.

A study by analysts Probos Foundation showed that only 62% of their imports was backed by chain of custody (CoC) last year, but, taking into account material without this proven sustainable wood rose to 72% of the total.