More tree planting in Wales 'critical' warns industry

Woodland bigger than the size of Cardiff needs to be re-planted in Wales to make up for commercial forestry lost over the past 15 years.

That is the warning from the industry, which believes ministers are placing too much emphasis on the environment at the expense of trees grown for timber.

Britain is the world's third largest importer of wood.

Ministers said they were encouraging commercial forestry organisations to invest in woodland creation.

Jonathan Poynton, director of Pontrilas Sawmills in Herefordshire, relies on timber from across the border in Wales but says it is hard to plan for the future.