All change, all change!

So the UK's EU journey is coming to an abrupt end and we're now seeking a new route forward. To what destination? Well it doesn't help that prominent Leave campaigners don't appear to agree what that destination is, or what was said in the campaign will be a commitment for the new top team. Is it a free trade area with the whole world, free from the 'shackles' of EU 'rules', or a variant on the arrangements that countries like Norway or Switzerland have? Does it include free movement of labour, but not of people? And will sectors supported with EU money, like agriculture and some of forestry, receive the same level of funding, but now from the public purse?

Speaking honestly, I really don't know. Who does?

What I do know is that during times of change it is those who engage most effectively who shape both the destination and the means of getting there. For the forestry and timber sector we're not going to determine what the trade relationship is with the EU, but we can and should get out there and explain to politicians and those who advise and influence them on how to protect and promote the sector.

For that we need clear messages and priorities, and a co-ordinated effort to get those points over through repeated activity. Confor produced an analysis of the key issues ahead of the referendum and is now updating that to identify what the sector needs - the questions that need answered, the actions that need to be taken.

This will take a little time, and we have that, not least because Labour and the Tories are engulfed in leadership speculation. But the sooner we can begin the better. Confor will publicise its activity on its new website www.confor.org.uk - watch that space....