PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Businesses: Sales (11 March 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support the Government will provide to businesses that sell wet wood and coal following the announcement of a ban on the sale of those items.

Asked by:
Alberto Costa (Conservative)

The Government intends to introduce a mandatory certification scheme demonstrating that wood sold in volumes under 2m³ is dry (less than 20% moisture). This will apply from one year from publication of the Government Response to allow existing stocks to be used up. Small suppliers will have an extra year to comply. This is to give them time to season their wood down to the required level or consider changes to their business model. A proportionate approach to enforcement will be taken, with enforcement agencies working with and educating small foresters to support them in meeting the new requirements.

We intend to introduce a ban on the sale of all bagged traditional house coal one year from publication of the Government Response. For a transitional period of two years, approved coal merchants will be able to sell loose traditional house coal directly to customers. A phased transition gives additional time for the market for smokeless fuel to develop in response to the legislation and for small businesses to adjust.

Answered by:
Rebecca Pow (Conservative)
19 March 2020