II_BiGHitteR_II
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- Mar 22, 2007
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The English cricket bat industry is under threat following a new EU law that prevents willow being exported outside Europe, it has been claimed.
A European Directive introduced last month has banned the use of the insecticide Methyl Bromide which is used to treat the wood before it is exported to be turned into cricket bats.
However, the wood cannot leave the country without a fumigation certificate and the industry's main markets in India, Pakistan and Australia do not currently accept any alternative treatment for the wood apart from Methyl Bromide.
Only four Essex-based companies export English willow to the rest of the world and suppliers say their businesses could close down in three months if a solution is not found.
J S Wright and Sons, of Great Leighs, is the world's largest and oldest supplier of bat willows - called clefts - having started trading in 1874.
Nick Wright, from the firm, said 40 staff would lose their jobs if the Forestry Commission cannot find a suitable chemical alternative.
Geoff Watling, of Anglian Willow Services the second largest willow supplier, said a chemical called Phosphane could be used but it hasn't been approved.
He said: "They say a form of heat treatment can be used but that actually splits willow, so we are basically left with nothing.
"In recent years all the willow has had to be exported to India for affordable bats to be made, apart from a small specialist and very residual industry here.
"We alone have 1,400 prepared trees ready to go and Wrights who are 80 per cent of the UK supply have 20 times that.
"The current rules of cricket demand bats made of willow. Without the ultimate superior quality East Anglian willow the worldwide game supply of test standard and Twenty20 bats for the national and country sides could dry up within two years."
Methyl Bromide was banned in 2005 except for quarantine and pre-shipment and critical uses because it damages the ozone layer, meaning the firms could use it for exporting willow.
But on March 19 a total ban on the use of the insecticide came into force.
East Anglia has an ideal climate for growing the willows and about ?2million-worth, or 100,000 clefts are exported to India and Pakistan for manufacture every month.
John Clayton, chief executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce, said: "This is a double threat to an export industry and to our own county of Essex, not to say a body blow to the heart of every Englishman if they can't hear the crack of leather on willow in the future."
A Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman confirmed: "Under the Montreal Protocol methyl bromide was banned from 2005 in the developed world, except for quarantines, pre-shipment and critical uses.
"Methyl Bromide is no longer allowed at all from March 19, 2010."
Interesting article. I'm surprised nobody has kicked up a fuss about this yet? No response from the ICC or any cricketing boards?
The English cricket bat industry is under threat following a new EU law that prevents willow being exported outside Europe, it has been claimed.
A European Directive introduced last month has banned the use of the insecticide Methyl Bromide which is used to treat the wood before it is exported to be turned into cricket bats.
However, the wood cannot leave the country without a fumigation certificate and the industry's main markets in India, Pakistan and Australia do not currently accept any alternative treatment for the wood apart from Methyl Bromide.
Only four Essex-based companies export English willow to the rest of the world and suppliers say their businesses could close down in three months if a solution is not found.
J S Wright and Sons, of Great Leighs, is the world's largest and oldest supplier of bat willows - called clefts - having started trading in 1874.
Nick Wright, from the firm, said 40 staff would lose their jobs if the Forestry Commission cannot find a suitable chemical alternative.
Geoff Watling, of Anglian Willow Services the second largest willow supplier, said a chemical called Phosphane could be used but it hasn't been approved.
He said: "They say a form of heat treatment can be used but that actually splits willow, so we are basically left with nothing.
"In recent years all the willow has had to be exported to India for affordable bats to be made, apart from a small specialist and very residual industry here.
"We alone have 1,400 prepared trees ready to go and Wrights who are 80 per cent of the UK supply have 20 times that.
"The current rules of cricket demand bats made of willow. Without the ultimate superior quality East Anglian willow the worldwide game supply of test standard and Twenty20 bats for the national and country sides could dry up within two years."
Methyl Bromide was banned in 2005 except for quarantine and pre-shipment and critical uses because it damages the ozone layer, meaning the firms could use it for exporting willow.
But on March 19 a total ban on the use of the insecticide came into force.
East Anglia has an ideal climate for growing the willows and about ?2million-worth, or 100,000 clefts are exported to India and Pakistan for manufacture every month.
John Clayton, chief executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce, said: "This is a double threat to an export industry and to our own county of Essex, not to say a body blow to the heart of every Englishman if they can't hear the crack of leather on willow in the future."
A Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman confirmed: "Under the Montreal Protocol methyl bromide was banned from 2005 in the developed world, except for quarantines, pre-shipment and critical uses.
"Methyl Bromide is no longer allowed at all from March 19, 2010."
Interesting article. I'm surprised nobody has kicked up a fuss about this yet? No response from the ICC or any cricketing boards?
