Survey shows TTF members want to remain in EU

Source:
TTF/Fordaq
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The British wood industry is clear about wanting the country to remain in the EU. This would be an advantage for UK's economy, as long as various reforms would be made in order to divide the benefits among the members states.

The Timber Trade Federation members are overwhelmingly in favour of remaining in the EU, believing that staying would be better for the UK economy as a whole.

These are the key findings of the recent survey run by the Timber Trade Federation among its members. The survey was designed to reflect the simplicity of the final referendum itself and used two straightforward questions:

  1. Should the UK remain a member of the European Union or leave it?
  2. What result would be in the best interest of the UK economy as a whole?

According to the poll, 76 % of the respondents think the UK should stay in the EU, while 16% are in favour of leaving.

Considering the impact on the UK economy as a whole, 80% of the respondents believe the UK will benefit from remaining in the European Union, while 11% indicate ‘Brexit’ as the best solution.

Respondents were given space to add their own comments in addition to the answers. These mainly expressed concern about the uncertain economic and political scenarios following a possible exit from the EU and how this would impact on business investment. In addition, several comments stressed how the replacement of European Standards and Regulations with UK equivalents would negatively impact trade.

However, respondents also highlighted the necessity of reforming the EU to ensure benefits and responsibilities are distributed more equally among member states.

David Hopkins, Managing Director of the Timber Trade Federation said: “The TTF is not taking an official position on the referendum either way, but this survey gives an unequivocal view from the Members. It is perhaps unsurprising that uncertainty and lack of clarity from the Brexit camp about what leaving the EU would achieve does not impress a business sector for whom the EU is their biggest trading partner.”

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