Local Government currently recognises five schemes that guarantee legally sourced timber, four of which promise sustainable growing methods.

The Construction Products Association today said steel and cement producers want to go down the same route.

The association said it will work with the Building Research Establishment and the British Standards Institution to develop a framework for responsible sourcing schemes.

Local Government currently recognises FSC, PEFC, the US-based SFI, Canadian CSA and Malaysian MTTC as providing proof of legally sourced timber. It recognises all but the last as proof of sustainably grown timber.