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Burning biomass could damage furniture industry

Dec. 19, 2011 – British furniture makers are becoming increasingly
worried that the burning of woody biomass will increase the cost of
timber and have detrimental effects on their industry.

According to an article published in the Green Building Press, a report was published by the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) and the British Furniture
Confederation (BFC) stating that government subsidies are to blame. The report, commissioned by FIRA, states that while subsidies encourage the use of woody biomass, they are simultaneously
distorting the market for new timber and therefore forcing up prices for the
manufacturing of furniture products.

The furniture industry will use the report, which outlines a series of improvements to aid the industry, to petition the government for change.