Commissioner and Minister get stuck in at Dunmanway oak planting

By Donal Magner

On Saturday 8 May, Franz Fischler, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development and Joe Walsh Minister for Agriculture and Food planted two oaks to mark an exciting new forestry initiative in the Manch Estate, Dunmanway, Co Cork.

The project includes the planting of a mixed broadleaf plantation which will be used to demonstrate best forest practice and the achievement of the highest standards for the planning, design and management of broadleaf woodlands

The objective of the project is to convert the estate - owned by Matt O'Connor - into a National Forestry Educational and Demonstration Centre with the support of The Irish Natural Forestry Foundation (INFF), an organisation established to promote mainly native broadleaf afforestation in Ireland.

The centre will develop courses in a range of woodland skills and enterprises and the public will be invited to open days to see at first hand how the project is progressing.

The Cavan based forestry company Green Belt Ltd are currently planting the area. The ceremonial planting by Commissioner Fischler and Minister Walsh is seen by the Green Belt forester Gerard Moroney as: "further evidence of strong State and EU commitment to forestry in Ireland''.

He said that: "the new regulations governing the stacking of decoupled payments have facilitated increased forest establishment and maximisation of farm income''.

This, according to Mr Moroney, has created renewed interest throughout the country, "including the Cork/Kerry region where enquiries are running well in excess of last year.''