Following the EU Timber Regulation coming into force across the UK last week, B&Q has publicly voiced its support for the move, which bans the importation of illegal timber in the EU.
The DIY retailer said it the ban would "help to level the playing field, ensuring that all retailers work with timber that is legally harvested and traded."
Just last year, B&Q and Wickes came under fire for
selling illegally-sourced timber after supplier Asia Plywood failed to inform the retailers that its Forest Stewardship Council certification had been revoked. At the time, B&Q was quick to react, cancelling all future orders as soon as it heard about the accreditation issue, and pulling stock from its shelves when the FSC certification expired.
This year will see B&Q invest in a new scheme called 'Good Woods' in partnership with BioRegional and the Sylva Foundation.
It will involve work with a number of community groups, council, charities and land owners to map and assess 10,000 hectares of UK woodland as well as train and educate 1,400 people about the importance of good woodland management.