Manufacturers of wooden pallets are targeting MPs to convince them of the benefits of timber over plastic.

The Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation is holding a lunch at the Scottish Parliament next week to convince MSPs of the credentials of wooden pallets, and plans subsequent meetings in London and at the Welsh Assembly. There were question marks over the safety of plastic pallets, it claimed, pointing out that some contain harmful deca-bromine and others have a high heavy metal content.

"There is significant misunderstanding of the disadvantages of plastic and the considerable advantages of timber," said Timcon president John Dye.

However, plastic pallet makers claimed wooden variants were outmoded and environmentally unfriendly, while plastic could be recycled and offered long-term cost benefits to grocers.