Fórsa trade union has said that up to 12,000 jobs are at risk as a consequence of the current forestry regulatory system and delays in the appeals process.
The union claims the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has the power to stop any potential job losses in the industry, with the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) processing appeals at a rate of 20 per month, while 400 remain outstanding.
The 2014 Forestry Act governs the forestry licencing and appeals system in Ireland. Union representatives at Coillte said the process means anyone can appeal any licence, whether the appeal has merit or not.
“Coillte could run out of timber to sell before the end of the year. The situation has gone from bad to worse. It usually allocates timber through a series of auctions, but has cancelled a number of these already this year,” Fórsa official Johnny Fox said.
Timber shortage
While it is reasonable to have an appeals process for the purposes of transparency, Fórsa suggests the current system is now actively undermining the entire industry.
Fox continued: "Recently, almost every tree felling licence application was appealed, generating a backlog of immense proportions. This means that Ireland will soon run out of timber and those employed in the industry will be put out of work.
“Forestry contractors, saw mills, haulage and construction all rely on our timber supply.”
Resolve
In order to avoid job losses, Fórsa suggests the Government provide the resources to clear the backlog at the Forestry Appeals Committee within three months. The union has also called for emergency legislation to be passed immediately.
“The regulatory system must be overhauled, the legislation passed immediately and the jobs saved,” Fox concluded.
Read more
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Contractors warn felling licence delay will lead to job losses
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Fórsa trade union has said that up to 12,000 jobs are at risk as a consequence of the current forestry regulatory system and delays in the appeals process.
The union claims the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has the power to stop any potential job losses in the industry, with the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) processing appeals at a rate of 20 per month, while 400 remain outstanding.
The 2014 Forestry Act governs the forestry licencing and appeals system in Ireland. Union representatives at Coillte said the process means anyone can appeal any licence, whether the appeal has merit or not.
“Coillte could run out of timber to sell before the end of the year. The situation has gone from bad to worse. It usually allocates timber through a series of auctions, but has cancelled a number of these already this year,” Fórsa official Johnny Fox said.
Timber shortage
While it is reasonable to have an appeals process for the purposes of transparency, Fórsa suggests the current system is now actively undermining the entire industry.
Fox continued: "Recently, almost every tree felling licence application was appealed, generating a backlog of immense proportions. This means that Ireland will soon run out of timber and those employed in the industry will be put out of work.
“Forestry contractors, saw mills, haulage and construction all rely on our timber supply.”
Resolve
In order to avoid job losses, Fórsa suggests the Government provide the resources to clear the backlog at the Forestry Appeals Committee within three months. The union has also called for emergency legislation to be passed immediately.
“The regulatory system must be overhauled, the legislation passed immediately and the jobs saved,” Fox concluded.
Read more
Ireland risks introducing devastating beetle in German logs
Contractors warn felling licence delay will lead to job losses
A career in forestry: opportunity, travel but bureacracy
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