SHARING OPTIONS:
The latest All Ireland Roundwood Production Forecast 2021-2040 predicts the annual potential roundwood supply will increase from 4.7 m m3 this year to 7.9 m m3 by 2035 with an estimated 200% increase in private timber production. \Noel Kenna
Comparisons between forestry in Scotland and Ireland are inevitable, not least because of similarities between the development of the forestry and forest products sectors in both countries. These include approaches to afforestation, tree species mix and silvicultural practices.
These have been highlighted in recent years, especially since the 2019 Mackinnon review of declining afforestation in Ireland, which drew on a similar exercise carried out by Jim Mackinnon in Scotland. This was followed by the appointment of Jo O’Hara last year to advise on the implementation of the Mackinnon review in Ireland.
SHARING OPTIONS:
One of the themes that emerged during Jo O Hara s discussions with stakeholders was land availability and suitability for forestry. \Donal Magner
Minister of State Pippa Hackett has announced the four chairpersons of the Project Woodland working groups, following a meeting with the project board, chaired by Brendan Gleeson. The board oversees the delivery of Jo O’Hara’s Implementation of the Mackinnon Report.
Stressing the need for urgency, the minister said: “The project board agreed that the working groups should convene immediately to agree deliverables and project milestones.”
The working groups examine key issues identified by O’Hara. The groups will be chaired by: Michael Cantwell, former Director of Enterprise Ireland, Dr Matt Crowe, former director, EPA, Professor Thia Hennessy, chair of Agri-Food Economics, Cork University Business School and Michael Layde, former assistant secretary general, Department
Minister of State for land use and biodiversity Pippa Hackett has been told that farmers will “press pause on forestry” if significant improvements are not forthcoming from the new forestry strategy.
Minister Hackett launched ‘Project Woodland’ at the end of last month to tackle the many issues currently facing the forestry sector, not least of all the delay in licencing approvals.
Tim Cullinan, the president of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has said that he “will hold Minister Hackett to account on her statement that farmers will start to see delivery from Project Woodland within 12 weeks”.
We will give the project board and the working groups this time to start to deliver on the recommendations in the plan, but…farmers will be pressing pause on forestry if they don’t see significant improvement during this time.
Minister Hackett announces First meeting of Project Woodland Board
The Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, has announced that the Project Board which is to oversee the delivery of ‘Project Woodland’ has held its first meeting.
Referring to the meeting which was held yesterday afternoon, the Minister said,
“The speed with which the Project Board and the Chairs of the Working Groups have come together is a clear indication of the sense of urgency and commitment which my Department and stakeholders are bringing to Project Woodland. We must both resolve current difficulties in the forestry sector and revitalise the creation of woodland in Ireland. I believe that this project with its dedicated project management structure will help us do that. I am particularly grateful to the independent members who have agreed to help us as either part of the Project Board or Chairs of the Working Groups. Projec
Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture Brendan Gleeson will chair the board. \ Philip Doyle
The board which is to oversee the delivery of Project Woodland has held its first meeting, Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture Senator Pippa Hackett has announced.
The project has been put together to resolve current difficulties in the forestry sector and revitalise the creation of woodland in Ireland.
“The speed with which the project board and the chairs of the working groups have come together is a clear indication of the sense of urgency and commitment which my Department and stakeholders are bringing to Project Woodland,” Minister Hackett said.