EUROPE — Secure raw material availability is one of the biggest concerns facing the wood industries in the coming years against a backdrop of growing demand. With this in mind, the European Panel Federation has created a policy paper – Strategic Wood Availability, which charts ‘The growing gap between strategic need and ecological reality’. It is an important document that should elevate this important topic to a wide range of stakeholders, particularly policy makers in Europe. It’s a complex subject…and it is incumbent on the industry to have a good grasp of the issue and campaign effectively to ensure enough wood will be available in future decades. With wood-based panels being so necessary for uses in construction, furniture and design, while also having a great sustainability profile, it therefore follows that the industry needs to be supported with policies that are going to help it thrive.