Minister of State Pippa Hackett announced the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 last week, which gives a legal basis for the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) to introduce procedures that allow for the better management of the volume of appeals which were clogging up the system.

When the draft bill was opened for public consultation last August almost 9,000 submissions were received, with more than 80% favouring the draft bill. “These new arrangements will put in place an improved licensing and appeal system, which will be more fit for purpose and better serve all stakeholders,” said Minister Hackett.

“I am moving quickly now to further resource the FAC so that it can deal with the backlog of appeals, which will bring certainty to those awaiting the outcome of those appeals.’’

Fees

Fees are being introduced for forestry applications, submissions and appeals. Forestry regulations provide for a fee of €20 per forestry licence application, and per submission in relation to such applications, while the Forestry Appeals Committee Regulation, 2020 provides for the charging of €200 for all classes of appeal.

An online forestry portal with all application and site details available in a single website will be opened to ensure more transparent access to the licensing process.

Licence backlog

The Department has a project management plan in place to increase the number of licences issued. Extra staff have been appointed to speed up processing time. This includes additional ecologists, forestry inspectors and new administrative staff.

“While these are all essential actions, our focus now is on implementation to ensure that the priority attached by Government to forestry can be delivered,” said Minister Hackett.

“The development of the new Forestry Programme is a key element of this. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to build a new model for forestry in Ireland, which will deliver for everyone. My aim is to ensure that the new programme is compatible with policy across all sectors and, in particular, with our commitments under the Climate Action Plan.”

Minister Hackett also addressed this issue at last Thursday’s National Forestry Conference when she said the approach to licences would allow sufficient homegrown timber to reach timber processors and reduce the threat of importing damaging pests and diseases.

“We are aware of the consequential possibility of importing roundwood from Germany and perhaps other countries,” she said.

“Such trade could carry significant potential risks around the introduction of harmful bark beetles, Ips typographus in particular.”

Reaction

Pat O’Sullivan of the Society of Irish Foresters welcomed the moves, saying it would provide greater certainty to foresters, forest owners, timber processors and contractors, as well as getting wood mobilisation and licences – felling and planting – back on track.

“It should also reduce Ireland’s dependence on log imports especially from Germany and the Benelux countries where spruce bark beetle is a serious threat to forests,” he said.

Teige Ryan of None so Hardy Nurseries also welcomed the new legislation.

“This is good news but it requires an equal approach to afforestation and felling licences,” he said.

“To achieve the ambitious 8,000ha planting programme will require a trebling of planting next year. This target is now a reality if the Government is serious in planning a map to carbon neutrality as envisaged in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020.”

Read more

Felling licence delay making a difficult year even worse