The forestry sector has called on Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, Minister of State Andrew Doyle and the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) to help minimise damage to the sector from COVID-19.

Forest Industries Ireland (FII) chair Brian Murphy said: “Our products are essential to the national effort, for reasons as diverse as bringing vital food and pharmaceutical goods to people via wood pallets, to providing wood energy – pellets and wood chips – to businesses as diverse as food producers, hospitals and nursing homes.”

Government support

He called for Government support in three areas:

  • That the total forest industry be designated an “essential industry”.
  • Provision of Government-backed loans, to be secured against existing inventories and stock, to safeguard cashflow in the industry.
  • That the Government assists in identifying and securing additional storage capacity for increasing stock.
  • Contractors

    Michael Moroney, CEO of the Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI), has called on the Government to introduce emergency legislation to speed up licences for planting, felling and forest road construction.