Forest Industries Ireland (FII) has said that a review of the forestry appeals process is “urgently needed”.

In response to the programme for government, which commits to review the process, FII director Mark McAuley has said the review is needed “to streamline existing bureaucracy and inefficient practices which is inhibiting the current forestry planting programme”.

“We welcome the acknowledgement by all three political parties of the need to deliver an ambitious afforestation plan which will sustain existing jobs and will create an extra 6,000 rural jobs by 2035, as well as focusing on looking at new incentives for increased farmer supports.

“We note the commitment to implement the MacKinnon Report and review the forestry appeals process, which is urgently needed to streamline existing bureaucracy and inefficient practices which [are] inhibiting the current forestry planting programme,” he said.

Carbon

McAuley said it is a “scientific fact” that forests suck harmful carbon dioxide from the air and lock it away into their biomass.

“Forests are bringing sustainable jobs and incomes to rural Ireland. Ireland’s fast-growing forest sector makes a €2.3bn annual contribution to the economy and employs 12,000 people across the country.

“These are rural jobs in a sustainable industry that is an important part of Ireland’s bio-economy.

"We are producing the timber we need to build our houses and schools and putting millions of euro into communities across the country. We are world leaders in growing trees and producing timber products.

“This is a fast-growing green industry focused on technology and innovation with a bright future in rural Ireland,” he said.

Programme for government

The programme for government document says the next government will incorporate afforestation into the new CAP to provide incentives for farmers to plant woodland on their farm, which will act as a carbon store, promote wildlife corridors and provide a future fuel source for farm households.

There is also a commitment to support farm forestry rewilding options that do not affect agricultural production and will also support biodiversity and habitat creation.

For more on the programme for government, click here.

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