When America first created forest reserves, more than a century ago, its goal was to create a sustainable supply of timber as well as to protect the woods and the fresh water reserves within them.

ECONOMIST: Managing the West��s forests

Further down the supply chain, timber-dealers and factories are often certified largely on the strength of documents which may be illegally bought.

ECONOMIST: Western consciences can do only so much to conserve forests

This should result in a steadier supply and bigger volumes of timber produced from Scotland's forests.

BBC: Scottish timber harvesting at record high