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President Trump has threatened to impose larger tariffs on the European Union and Canada if they team up against the US, as an escalating trade war with the two allies continues. Source: The Hill “If the European Union works with Canada in order to do economic harm to the USA, large scale tariffs, far larger than currently planned, will be placed on them both in order to protect the best friend that each of those two countries has ever had!” Trump wrote on Truth Social early Thursday morning. The threat comes after Trump announced that he will impose a 25 percent tariff on foreign-made vehicle imports, which will hit countries like Germany particularly hard. European automakers criticized the move, arguing it will hurt US manufacturing while the nations are already impacted by Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs on trading partners. The president has also teased reciprocal tariffs set to take effect 2 April, which the president has called “liberation day”, which will hit trading partners with the same tariffs they levy on the US. Earlier this month, Trump announced broad tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports and a one-month delay for auto parts covered under the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, which is set to expire next week.

Built by Nature has launched its 2025 global prize called the Built by Nature Prize, recognising exemplary real-world applications of the Principles for Responsible Timber Construction in predominantly timber buildings. Source: Timberbiz On 7 April, the grant-funding network will open applications for completed and in-use projects, including new builds, renovations, and the significant prize will highlight excellence in demonstration of the Principles, with winners announced at the annual Built by Nature Summit in October. Winning buildings will be showcased at high-profile events and a documentary film premiered at COP, included in an international study tour, and presented as examples of responsible timber construction on the Built by Nature Knowledge Hub. A panel of international experts from across the construction value chain will judge submissions based on alignment with the Principles. Developed by Built by Nature and in collaboration with the Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership (FCLP), Bauhaus Earth and other stakeholders, the Principles establish a common framework of requirements to ensure the timber building industry can thrive sustainably. Promoting and leveraging projects that exemplify the Principles, the Prize campaign demonstrates to policymakers and the construction industry the relationship between responsible timber construction and positive outcomes for forests, biodiversity, climate, and communities across the globe. “We are proud to launch our 2025 Prize to recognise the best timber construction projects from around the world. Entrants will be asked to show how their projects align with the Principles for Responsible Timber Construction, using existing project information. The sector is already delivering great timber buildings, now it’s time to celebrate success and accelerate its replication,” Paul King, CEO of Built by Nature said. Prize judge Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, Global Leader of Climate & Energy at WWF and Interim Chair of the IUCN Climate Crisis Commission said that the Principles provide consensus-based guidance for policymakers and governments, to inform regulation and support incentives for investment. They can, and should, become the global standard for timber buildings, framed under sustainability rules. The judging panel also sees a return for Ana Belizário, Sales and Business Development Director of Brazilian mass timber manufacturer Urbem, who judged the first BbN Prize in 2024. “COP30, in my native Brazil, is a huge moment for timber buildings. Ten years after the Paris Agreement, an Amazon COP must focus on timber supply chains so we can build more effectively for people, planet, and nature. This Prize will showcase the very best examples to the world,” she said. The Prize is open to all timber-based buildings that align with the Principles, with the application window opening on 7 April. English is the preferred language for applications, with translation provided if required on request. Full details of the application criteria and process can be found on the Built by Nature website. https://builtbn.org/prize/

More than 62 million tree seedlings. That is the number of seedlings Stora Enso planted or delivered to its customers in 2024. The seedlings are planted to regenerate forests after final felling across the Nordics and the Baltics. Source: Timberbiz In its annual report, Stora Enso reported that the seedlings planted in its own forests or delivered to other forest owners: a little over 20 million of the seedlings end up in its own forests in Sweden, and more than 19 million were planted on private forest owners’ lands in Sweden, Finland, Norway, and the Baltics. In addition, the company delivered approximately 23 million seedlings to other external customers, such as other forestry companies. Forest regeneration is a crucial part of even-aged forestry – the most common forest management method in Northern Europe. When new trees are planted after final fellings, Stora Enso makes sure there will be new forest growing to replace the felled trees. This is required by law. Planted seedlings are grown in nurseries both in Store Enso’s own nurseries in Sweden as well as by suppliers in Finland and the Baltics. The seedlings are grown from seeds produced in tree breeding programs to enhance growth and other characteristics over time. These programs are set up to ensure that the tree seedlings will be fit to the environmental conditions in the forest, now and over the decades to come. In practice, this is done by selecting trees with characteristics that are valuable for nature, productivity and resilience and crossing them with each other to produce seeds. Some important characteristics taken into account are: Tree growth: well-growing trees form forests that not only have high productivity value but also help to mitigate climate change by binding carbon dioxide more efficiently from the atmosphere Genetic diversity: healthy forests require diverse tree species but also genetically diverse tree individuals, which is why all breeding is set up to ensure sufficient genetic variability Health and strength: breeding is also set up to increase trees’ natural robustness to withstand different weather conditions as well as pests and pathogens Resilience and climate adaptation: the above-mentioned characteristic also contribute to climate change mitigation as well as to the trees’ resilience and adaptation towards the changing climate, such as extreme weather and warmer forest environments Combination of planted and natural seedlings enhance diversity. Over time, the seedlings planted in a regeneration area get mixed with naturally regenerated seedlings that grow from seeds in the soil. The company tends the forest for the first time when trees are approximately two meters in height, and at that point they leave some of the naturally regenerated seedlings. This results in a mixture of species and trees of various genetic origin. The focus remains on fostering healthy, thriving forests that will stand the test of time and the changing climate. By planting and nurturing over 62 million tree seedlings in 2024, Stora Enso ensures the regeneration of forests and works towards resilient and diverse forest ecosystems.

Two Nelson-Tasman transport companies, Stuart Drummond Transport Limited and Borlase Transport, have achieved the prestigious five-star rating in the Log Transport Safety Council Health and Safety Contractor Audit, placing them among only 14 companies nationwide to receive this elite recognition. Source: Timberbiz This achievement represents the highest level of safety excellence in the log transport industry and reflects both companies’ unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest possible standards in their operations. “We are incredibly proud to have achieved a 5-Star rating in the Health and Safety Contractor Audit. Safety has always been a top priority for our company, reflected in both our resources and the commitment and dedication of our entire team. It’s rewarding to see that when tested against a rigorous industry audit, we have achieved the highest result,” said Harry Llewellyn, General Manager of Stuart Drummond Transport. “This achievement is truly a team effort – from our workshop team to our drivers and office staff. High standards must be demonstrated across all areas of the business, and this result is a testament to the collective dedication of our team.” Steve Borlase, Business Manager for Borlase Transport Reaching said that reaching this five-star benchmark reflects years of continuous improvement and the team’s daily commitment to safety. “We’re proud to be part of this exclusive group of transport operators who set the standard for safety in New Zealand,” he said. Both companies serve as key transport partners for OneFortyOne’s New Zealand Forests business, handling the critical task of safely transporting logs from forest to market. “Working with partners who prioritise safety at this level is fundamental to our operations,” said Shaun Truelock, General Manager of OneFortyOne’s New Zealand Forests business. “Their achievement of this five-star rating reinforces our confidence in their operations and aligns perfectly with our values of safety, excellence, and responsibility. When you see these trucks on the road, you can be confident they’re meeting the highest safety standards.” The Log Transport Safety Council Certified Contractor Audit is a rigorous assessment that evaluates transport operators’ health and safety systems, operational procedures, and compliance standards. The five-star rating represents exceptional performance across all measured criteria. This recognition comes at a time when safety standards in the transport industry are increasingly important, with customers and communities alike expecting the highest levels of responsibility from operators handling large loads on public roads. Both transport companies look forward to maintaining these elite standards and continuing their successful partnerships with clients who value safety excellence.

The Tasmanian Forest Products Association has welcomed a $181.9 million ongoing commitment to the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme announced in this week’s Federal Budget, describing it as a good start for Tasmanian businesses. Source: Timberbiz However, TFPA Chief Executive Officer Nick Steel said the Federal Government must do more to assist Tasmanian businesses, including those in our sustainable forest industry. “Our industry is pleased to see the Federal Government responding to last year’s Senate Inquiry into the TFES, but to ensure the scheme remains fit for purpose the government needs to commit to ongoing review and modernisation of the program,” Mr Steel said. “This scheme was set up almost 50 years ago and it’s clear that, in its current state, it’s no longer working for Tasmanian businesses. “Being an island, Tasmania is at a distinct disadvantage compared to other states when shipping goods to their markets. The Whitlam Government introduced the TFES in the 1970s to go some way to level the playing field between mainland and Tasmanian businesses. “While we welcome to Federal Government’s commitment to rebalance the weighting for the different classes within the scheme, to arrest the class shift that has occurred over the past fifty-years, ongoing review and modernisation needs to continue – otherwise we will see the same issues occur moving forward.” Mr Steel said the TFES remains a key pillar of the TFPA’s Federal Election priorities, and the association will be working with all sides of politics to ensure the program continues to work to improve opportunities for Tasmanian forestry businesses. “We will be urging all parties to back the modernisation of the scheme to ensure it restores some cost parity and ensures an adequate indexation rate to enable businesses to participate in interstate and international trade on a more level playing field,” Mr Steel said. “Australia is currently in a cost-of-living crisis. It’s being particularly felt here in Tasmania, not only by consumers but also by businesses trying to sell to the other states. “That’s why all political parties must commit to doing everything they can to ensure Tasmanian businesses can compete fairly with their mainland competitors.”

Publication of the Wood Volumes Analysis indicates Australia has reliable access to structural forest and wood products to meet future demand. The report provides an analysis of the long-run supply of and domestic demand for wood products in Australia, particularly those used in construction. Source: Timberbiz Executive Director of ABARES Dr Jared Greenville said that the findings reflect the diverse timber supply available to Australians and that demand is likely to continue to increase. “Timber is a valuable resource, widely used in Australia’s construction sector,” Dr Greenville said. “Demand for construction related timber is expected to grow by about 50% by 2050 as the population increases, but the final volume will vary depending on our future preferences for housing types, with some houses using more timber than others. “On the supply side, the report indicates that Australia’s domestic log availability is projected to increase by approximately 70% through to 2055 with a record availability of 16.8 million cubic metres per year of softwood sawlogs for residential construction in 2050-2054. “Australian plantation managers are working hard to maintain and optimise log availability, and they are working alongside mills to increase the output and variety of timber products available to the domestic market.” International markets have been crucial to meet wood demand, particularly in times of short-run growth. “The long-term nature of forestry production can mean that pressure is placed on supply if there is a short-run surge in demand. In those times, access to international markets has provided access to key wood product supplies, helping maintain the momentum in domestic construction,” Dr Greenville said. “Global markets are expected to continue to be a reliable source in the future, despite the disruptions seen through COVID, when global freight was delayed. With strong global log availability and advances in technology and innovation we are expecting global trade in forest and wood products to continue.” More information or to download the report visit: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/research-topics/forests/forest-economics/forest-economic-research/australian-wood-volumes

New Forests has entered into a partnership with Oji Holdings to establish the Future Forest Innovations Fund, a corporate forest investment fund to help it achieve its 2030 environmental goals. The partnership sees an almost US$300 million investment from Oji Holdings, along with a co-investment from New Forests. Source: Timberbiz Through the fund, Oji will seek to invest in productive plantation forestry assets in Southeast Asia, North America, Latin America and Africa, that both generate a financial return and provide considerable climate benefits. Oji will seek to target an additional 1.5m tCO2e per annum of net sequestration by 2030 from the forestry assets it acquires. Oji Holdings is already a significant investor in plantation forests globally with 635,000 hectares and through this partnership, seeks to invest in an additional 70,000 hectares of plantation forests, across greenfield and brownfield assets in the four main regions. New Forests will draw upon its 20-year history managing forests sustainably for financial, environmental and community impacts, while focusing on an improvement in genetics, implementation of leading information and analytics systems, and advanced application of geo-spatial data across forestry assets. “We are excited to partner with Oji, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of pulp and paper, to establish the Future Forest Innovations Fund as a new initiative that leverages our 20 years of experience managing forest investment funds,” Mark Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of New Forests said. “We are continuing to see momentum and interest from corporates looking to invest in forestry and the natural capital asset class. By investing in sustainable forest plantations in four major regions of the world, we will be assisting Oji to achieve their 2030 mission of growing their sustainable forestry assets and reducing overall carbon emissions.” Oji said that through the operation of this fund, we will combine the diverse expertise of New Forests, an expert in forest management, with our own forest management technologies. The aim is to develop products that use wood resources and contribute to the realisation of a sustainable society. The Future Forest Innovations Fund has been established as an open-ended, Variable Capital Company (VCC) registered in Singapore.

Australia’s forestry and forest products sector will turn its attention to the Federal Election campaign following this week’s 2025-26 Budget which the sector believes did not deliver any meaningful new investment to help forestry industries realise their potential for the climate, economy and communities. Source: Timberbiz “The Australian Forest Products Association does, however, welcome a number of small Budget measures and we thank the Albanese Government for that support,” AFPA CEO Diana Hallam said. “We will now shift our focus squarely to the Federal Election campaign to secure what our sector needs as outlined in our Platform – Australian Timber. Australia’s Future, to help fix the national housing crisis, strengthen our sovereign capability in timber and wood-fibre and ensure a healthy and well promoted and understood sector,” she said. “We welcome the additional $20 million for the Buy Australian campaign, but to really drive Australian product in the marketplace, we need the introduction of country of origin labelling to allow consumers to readily choose locally grown timber and wood-fibre. It is currently far too difficult for Australian consumers to discern where timber products come from and we will be campaigning hard for this policy in coming weeks. “The Budget’s $181.9 million in funding for the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) over the forward estimates is acknowledged, but reform and more work is needed to optimise the transport of timber and wood resources across Bass Strait.” Ms Hallam said it was also disappointing that the forest products supply chain, as one of Australia’s largest manufacturing sectors, wasn’t included in the Government’s Budget announcements around green production credits which went to aluminium and iron. She said that as a sector that was truly carbon positive with innovation potential across a range of nation building products including bioenergy options from woodchip and timber residues, the sector really should be at the forefront of the Government’s planning in this policy space. “We also reiterate our support for the $54 million announced over the weekend for prefabricated and modular housing and to assist in certification for this type of manufacturing that timber and wood-fibre businesses are leading the charge on. It is timely that the Government has acknowledged pre-fabrication has expanded from just the old donga to include innovative timber panel systems which are more modern, attractive, affordable and a climate-friendly solution to building,” she said. “So, following the Budget, we will focus on the Federal Election campaign to secure what Australia’s forest products sector needs to realise its potential for the nation and the world and we’ll work with all sides of politics to achieve our goals.”