CHANGES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM HARDWOOD IMPORTING SOURCES FROM 1853 TO 2015

Abstract

This paper identifies changes in the United Kingdom (UK) hardwood importing sources between 1853 and 1992 and changes in UK sawn hardwood sources between 1999 and 2015. A comparison was made of the changes of UK importing sources between the two sets of data. The comparisons are useful to determine alternative sawn hardwood sources for the UK after the UK leaves the European Union (EU), i.e. the BREXIT negotiations. This paper shows the massive reduction in UK importing sources that has taken place both in Africa and in Asia. The UK will need to expand the number of sources in Africa, Asia and in Latin America and the Caribbean. The UK imports significant proportions from EU member states. Following BREXIT, there may be severe restriction on UK/EU trade. These changes of sources may mean a change in cost and in imported species.