This article summarises research funded by EuroCoppice, COST Action FP1301. The aim was to compare and contrast the situation for the chestnut (Castenea sativa) coppice industry in England and Italy with view to informing training and business development research proposals. EU forestry policies are dispersed under several topics (e.g. environment, rural development, industry, trade). The current context is the Forest Europe Principles agreed in 2011. The Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry has overall responsibility for implementing these but regional laws are set within this context. The UK Government policy statement 'Sustaining and enhancing trees, forests and woodland' (Defra, 2013) acknowledges regional differences
