Forest Industries Ireland (FII) has rejected Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed’s recent Dáil statement that changes to the licensing system “are unavoidable and are largely beyond the control of my Department”.

The difficulties arise from “changes made to internal appropriate assessment procedures,” he told TDs Carol Nolan and James Brown.

“Forestry regulations in all EU member states operate within the same legal framework,” said Mark McAuley, FII director.

“The problems in Ireland do not exist elsewhere. A system of appropriate assessment was required but the minister should have taken this in hand long ago and set up the new system in a well-planned and managed fashion, which was well within the control of his Department.”

He said the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) has proven to be a major bottleneck.

The industry voiced concerns about the design of the FAC in advance but these were ignored

“A small number of serial objectors create delays and huge costs. The industry voiced concerns about the design of the FAC in advance but these were ignored,” McAuley said.

Responding to Minister Creed’s assertion that “felling licences have significantly improved since the start of 2020”, McAuley said: “The reality on the ground is that there remains a major shortage of felling licences for private growers and operators, while no Coillte log auction has taken place yet this year.”

FII chair Brian Murphy highlighted other European countries that have robust forestry regulation systems for felling and planting.

“What is needed is a regulatory platform that delivers felling licences in a timely fashion,” said Murphy. “All licence applications should be processed within 120 days,” he maintained.

Delays

“Delays with afforestation licences have always acted as a deterrent to farmers seeking to plant,” claimed McAuley. Pointing to the recent historic low afforestation programmes, he said: “There is no doubt that a faster process would boost planting.”