Roundwood pricing policies jeopardising the timber chain

Leading companies in Germany’s softwood sawmilling industry feel that the pricing policies of log suppliers are not only putting the future of a number of sawmill operators at risk, but also the entire domestic value chain for wood. At the latest meeting of the Softwood Forum (Forum Nadelholz) in Bad Biebelried entrepreneurs and associations announced plans to undertake an in-depth legal review of pricing and market policies adopted by key state forestry agencies. Managers from associations representing roundwood users (AGR) as well as German sawmill operators and the timber industry (VDS and BSHD) attended the meeting and now intend to work together to tackle this issue. They now want to examine the legal situation in-depth and also clarify anti-trust law concerns and limits. In addition, talks are to take place with policy-makers.