Thatching Straw Availability Statement 2008

The East Anglia Master Thatchers Association (EAMTA) has become increasingly concerned regarding the press reports about thatching straw shortages, over the past few months, which originate from the National Society of Master Thatchers Ltd.

As a consequence, all the eastern region's traditional thatching straw producers, who provide long straw to our member thatchers, were contacted, in order to find out how bad this year's harvest has been. Thankfully, it was all good news; all reported that their straw for thatch harvest was safely gathered in. Some did say, however, that the inclement weather had been problematic and had delayed the carting in from the fields.

We believe the National Society of Master Thatchers Ltd. is promulgating these reports in order to justify an attempt at changing the planning regulations, to allow a more flexible approach by the planning authorities, when a change of thatch material is requested. The current policy is to only allow re-thatching in a 'like for like' material and to not allow change of material, i.e. from straw to reed.

We perceive this policy represents a serious threat to traditional thatching techniques in this country by eroding the local production pipeline for our industry. The consequential increase in foreign material being imported could lead to a loss of expertise associated with growing, harvesting and production of ancient seed varieties of wheat, and could mark the start of the ultimate demise of our heritage and a catastrophe for our stock of important buildings.

There are factions within the industry that would like to change straw roofs to reed, as the material is produced in vast quantities in Europe, the Eastern Bloc countries and also China, and is more readily available for purchase. Straw for thatch is labour intensive to produce in the traditional manner and there are now larger producers attempting more mechanised methods. The traditional method of binding, stooking, carting, stacking & thrashing is more resilient of inclement weather and will, in most circumstances, produce a useable crop. Mechanised methods are more weather dependant and the crop is more susceptible to failure. Preparing Long Straw for thatching is also labour intensive and reed importation for thatching becomes a more profitable option.

The National Society of Master Thatchers Ltd., although National in name, represents approximately 13% of the estimated 800 thatching firms nationwide.  However, it does represent some of the larger more mechanized producers, and also some of the major importers of foreign reed & South African veldt grass.

Currently, Listed Building consent is required for a change of material; the EAMTA strongly supports maintaining this policy. When a thatcher claims no suitable material is available and seeks to change to reed, it is usually due to the fact that he would rather thatch it in reed. Our recommendation would be to seek out a thatcher who wishes to work in straw, as any craftsman with integrity, will have made sure that he has material available. Thatchers in East Anglia where the art of straw thatching is practiced to perfection and where 'listed buildings' are protected from a 'Euro thatch' mentality, feel passionately that false representation is being given by an unrepresentative faction within the industry and should not be taken as the view of the industry as a whole. 

Speaking for the majority of thatchers in the eastern region, the East Anglia Master Thatchers Association stresses  that it is essential  that ALL groups who understand and are involved in this complex subject  must be consulted before any relaxation of the rules governing 'listed buildings' is considered.  Taking at face value the word of the large importers of foreign material and those thatchers with little knowledge of straw thatching strikes at the heart of the uniqueness and beauty of this most ancient of crafts.
If there are no restrictions, the house owner will opt for reed, unaware of the benefits of retaining their straw thatch, such as its exceptional insulation, and as a consequence of this, our straw thatching heritage could be lost within a generation.

East Anglia Master Thatchers Association (EAMTA)  www.eamta.co.uk
October 2008

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