Drystock and forestry farmer Vincent Nally from Emper, Co Westmeath, was elected chair of the IFA forestry committee this Friday following the resignation of Pat Collins last month.
Nally fattens steers and bulls and has developed a forestry operation of Norway spruce and ash in four plantings over the past 25 years, with some at the second thinning stage.
IFA president Joe Healy (right) congratulates newly elected forestry chair Vincent Nally at the Irish Farm Centre in Dublin. \ Thomas Hubert
He told the Irish Farmers Journal that his priority would be to push for a simplification of the procedures surrounding licensing and right of ways for forestry.
"Most of these processes should be turned around within a fortnight," he said, but instead they are mired in red tape.
"The perception is, don't go down the route of forestry because it is a nightmare," he said. He added that he would work to change this.
Forestry is part and parcel of farming
As a farmer, Nally said he never regretted planting part of his land: "Forestry is part and parcel of farming. It complements a farm, it looks aesthetically well, it's a broadening of your investment portfolio, it's a pension fund."
He acknowledged the imbalance highlighted during recent protests in Leitrim, which he said has currently more afforestation than the four largest dairy counties put together.
"Maybe we need an environmental scheme in Ireland to encourage every farmer to plant" a portion of their land, he said.
His other priority will be to extend farm safety efforts to forestry and he suggested including personal protective equipment for chainsaw work in TAMS.
Read more
Collins resigns
Farmers and co-op disagree on Leitrim forestry after fresh protest
Drystock and forestry farmer Vincent Nally from Emper, Co Westmeath, was elected chair of the IFA forestry committee this Friday following the resignation of Pat Collins last month.
Nally fattens steers and bulls and has developed a forestry operation of Norway spruce and ash in four plantings over the past 25 years, with some at the second thinning stage.
IFA president Joe Healy (right) congratulates newly elected forestry chair Vincent Nally at the Irish Farm Centre in Dublin. \ Thomas Hubert
He told the Irish Farmers Journal that his priority would be to push for a simplification of the procedures surrounding licensing and right of ways for forestry.
"Most of these processes should be turned around within a fortnight," he said, but instead they are mired in red tape.
"The perception is, don't go down the route of forestry because it is a nightmare," he said. He added that he would work to change this.
Forestry is part and parcel of farming
As a farmer, Nally said he never regretted planting part of his land: "Forestry is part and parcel of farming. It complements a farm, it looks aesthetically well, it's a broadening of your investment portfolio, it's a pension fund."
He acknowledged the imbalance highlighted during recent protests in Leitrim, which he said has currently more afforestation than the four largest dairy counties put together.
"Maybe we need an environmental scheme in Ireland to encourage every farmer to plant" a portion of their land, he said.
His other priority will be to extend farm safety efforts to forestry and he suggested including personal protective equipment for chainsaw work in TAMS.
Read more
Collins resigns
Farmers and co-op disagree on Leitrim forestry after fresh protest
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