Leitrim forestry study to focus on five key areas

The study on forestry in Leitrim is to focus on five key areas, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Andrew Doyle has confirmed.

The study will be led by Dr Áine Ní Dhubháin and Dr Julie Ballweg of UCD and the Minister has met with them to discuss their plans for the study commissioned by his Department.

Social impacts

The report is to assess the social impacts of forestry in Co Leitrim, including among other things the attitudes to forestry of people living there. This assessment will be based on consultations locally with farmers, non-farmers and other interested parties.

Economic impacts

It will also look at the economic impact of forestry for Co Leitrim, including total employment supported by the sector.

Farm incomes

The report will assess the impact of forestry on farm incomes relative to other types of farming.

Non-timber outputs

It will also consider the non-timber outputs of forestry in Co Leitrim.

Environment

Finally, the report will assess the current state of environmental regulation of forestry in Co Leitrim.

A Department spokesperson said that the study will cover the entire county and will assess the attitudes of people to a wide range of forestry impacts.

This assessment will be based on local consultations with farmers, non-farmers, representative groups and other interested parties.

Public consultations will be a strong feature of the study and Dr Ní Dhubháin and her team will be announcing further details on these consultations in the near future, including provision for written submissions as well as local consultations.

As a starting point, a dedicated website has been established where early submissions can be made – this can be found at https://leitrimforestrystudy.ucd.ie.

It is expected that the final report will be published by August 2019.

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