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Publication of the National Working Agreement for the Wood fuel Quality Assurance scheme |
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Sunday, 31 January 2010 |
The introduction of a Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) scheme is now at an advanced stage, good progress has been made and a launch date has been set for the Thursday 18th February 2010 at the National Bioenergy Conference 2010 in Tipperary. John O'Brien will introduce us to how the scheme will run and discuss its main objectives.
For too long we have had a stop-start industry with some fuel producers diligently storing and drying their logs correctly prior to sale and delivering them in lots to suit the customer, while a few others were selling wet Sitka without any proper preparation. To counter any possible negative perceptions, woodland owners who have invested in the production of quality, dry wood fuel now want their produce covered under a quality assurance scheme that will allow the public to buy wood-based products with full confidence.
It makes sense to have such a scheme and this will benefit all woodland owners in the long term. People who wish to sign up will pay a reasonable annual sum to the organizers and, in return, can label their produce with the quality logo telling the customer the moisture content, log/pellet/chip size, timber species used and any other relevant information. All wood fuels for sale will be independently tested by the National Standards Authority before any supplier can use the label. NSAI has published the final version of the NWA for the WFQA scheme For a copy visit http://www.nsai.ie/
While some wood chip burners can handle chip up to 35pc moisture content, storage of this material can be problematic due to internal heating and the possibility of self combustion. Log-burning stoves, which are in the majority of homes, require well-seasoned, dry timber to function properly. Burning wet fuel can have serious consequences, resulting in a buildup of tar in the chimney and poor stove performance.
If we are to create a proper market for the products from our woodlands we must ensure our customers can buy them knowing that they are buying the best available and can do so repeatedly.
The WFQA scheme objectives are:
To Instills confidence in the marketplace
Wood fuels to be achieved in a sustainable and ethical manner
WFQA to oversee the sustainable provision of wood fuel supply in Ireland
Support the delivery of product which meets and exceeds the requirements of customers
WFQA will undertake to ensure that end consumers are provided with a quality end product
Dissemination of best practice operations throughout the wood fuel supply community
WFQA will assist and support best practice in wood fuel supply in the own industries and daily work
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