So far, most companies in the forestry chain continue to work while observing the latest government guidelines on COVID-19. A minority of companies have ceased working, but so far they are the exceptions.

None so Hardy Nurseries is still producing plants across their Co Wexford sites and storing plants in their Shillelagh, Co Wicklow cold storage facility.

"So far, we are distributing plants to afforestation sites which the guidelines allow," said Teige Ryan.

Likewise Coillte nursery production is going ahead where "social distancing can be observed", said Pat Neville, company communications manager. "We are also carrying out work such as reforestation."

Plantings

Only one forestry company has shut down so far while the remainder will provide the sector with an opportunity to achieve a reduced planting programme.

"The planting programme has decreased in any case due to the limited availability of afforestation licences," said one forestry spokesperson. If the licences flow, then nurseries, forestry companies, individual forestry consultants and contractors working in planting sites should continue working while observing the guidelines, he maintained.

Uncertainty

There is uncertainty wood processing mills, but wood energy outlets are in full production.

One board mill and one sawmill have stopped production. The remaining seven medium to large sawmills and two board mills in Ireland are working, but they are unsure about future markets.

"If your weekly intake is 10,000m3 of logs during peak production and your UK customers have ceased or significantly reduced intake, then you know you are on borrowed time," said one sawmill spokesperson.

Pallet market

Sawmills producing pallet material for food and other product packaging, are working as normal, with demand likely to hold firm. The UK pallet and packaging market, where over 70% of Irish pallet product ends up, is secure at the moment. This market received a boost at the end of last week when a UK government statement recognised "the importance of the [pallet] industry in keeping the supply chain going at this critical time", according to Timcom, the UK timber packaging and pallet confederation.

The UK government acknowledged that "the pallet and packaging industry plays a vital role in the provision of food, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, [so] critical workers in the industry are classed as key workers". However, the UK construction market has virtually ceased as building and related businesses such as fencing have dramatically decreased.

Wood energy

The wood energy market is holding up well, according to Kenny McCauley, director of McCauley Wood Fuels, the Mohill, Co Leitrim-based company. Security of wood chip and pellet supply is vital for hospitals and nursing homes that have converted to renewable energy he said.

McCauley also pointed to other sectors especially in the food chain: "Wood biomass is an essential energy source for companies that have made the transition to renewable wood energy, including piggeries and poultry as well as mushroom and fruit producers."

"The decrease in small wood production from first thinnings as well as a possible slowdown in sawmilling will reduce our supply of raw material but we have sufficient stocks to last at least a couple of months."