The delays in forestry licences being issued are “unavoidable”, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has said.

“The current licensing difficulties are as a result of the changes made to internal appropriate assessment procedures (AAP).

“These were introduced in response to important Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decisions and their subsequent interpretation by the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) and others.

“These changes are unavoidable and are largely beyond the control of my Department,” he told TDs Carol Nolan and James Brown in response to parliamentary questions.

2020 licences

While acknowledging the delay, the Minister said that the situation with regard to felling licences has significantly improved since the start of 2020.

“Since January, 649 felling licences were issued up to 8 May. These licences cover over 5,900ha and a volume in excess of 1.6m m3. My Department continues to issue new felling licences at an average rate of approximately 100,000m3 per week.

“In terms of afforestation licences, from January 2018 to the end of December 2019, licences have been issued for 4,000ha that are available to plant. Again, since January 2020, 230 afforestation licences for 1,700ha and 141 forest road licence for 50.7km have issued,” he said.

He said the current situation is challenging, but is “a temporary disruption which, when resolved, will make for a better, more sustainable and fit-for-purpose forestry licensing system for many years to come”.