ONE of the UK's largest forestry firms has had its forest management certificates restored. 

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) UK initially took the decision to pause Tilhill Forestry's FSC and PEFC Forest Management Certificates over repeated "non conformities". An "unusual" move for the UK, it is understood the breaches related to personal protective equipment (PPE) issues at one of the group's British sites. 

However, after a "series of verification visits" the certificates have now been revalidated again. 

A statement from Tilhill's parent company, the BSW Group, read: "Tilhill Forestry’s Forestry Management FSC & PEFC certificates have been reinstated after a series of verification visits by our certification body. 

"During the visits the auditor was able to verify corrective actions taken had been effective and closed the two outstanding non-conformities. We continue to be committed to upholding the highest standards across all BSW Group companies."

Tilhill's portfolio includes 208,828 hectares of woodland, with the certification suspended for around about a fortnight at locations such as Buccleuch Woodlands, the Clinton Devon Estates, and Wales' Llwyndrissi. However, harvesting work could continue during that time. 

A spokesperson for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) UK said: "FSC UK is pleased that Tilhill's FSC Forest Management certificate has been reinstated

"FSC-accredited Certification Bodies may reinstate certification after suspension if all major non-conformities have been corrected, and this swift resolution reflects the responsive nature of the Certification Body, Soil Association, and the importance placed on certification by Tilhill."