There has been a lot on the news lately, with headlines like, “Wood burning stoves to be banned.” But is this true?
SOURCE: HETAS (Click to read full article)
On the 22nd May 2018 the Environment Secretary Michael Gove published a Clean Air Strategy 2018. The good news is, Defra has clarified they are not looking to implement a ban on wood stoves.
Rather, the Clean Air Strategy summarises actions to reduce emissions from domestic burning, clearly identifying there is no intention to ban wood burning stoves. Here are the key points:
- Legislate to prohibit sale of the most polluting fuels.
- Ensure that only the cleanest stoves are available for sale by 2022.
- Give new powers to local authorities to take action in areas of high pollution, bringing legislation into the 21st century with more flexible, proportionate enforcement powers.
- Work with industry to identify an appropriate test standard for new solid fuels entering the market.
- Ensure that consumers understand what they can do to reduce their impact from burning.
We have also had reassurance through members of the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) following their discussions with the government that there is no intention to ban the sale of any products prior to the introduction of the 2022 regulations, and they have gone further to say that this will only effect products manufactured after this date.
Whilst it is important to ensure that only the cleanest and most efficient stoves are supplied, it is also important to ensure that correct fuels are used. To this end, there are a number of initiatives aiming to promote the use of clean and efficient fuels such as the Woodsure “Ready to Burn” scheme www.woodsure.co.uk/firewood-ready-to-burn/ and the government’s own list of Authorised Fuels https://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/fuels
Interested in getting a clean wood burning stove? Please get in touch with our friendly team – Contact us today.
