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There has been mixed reaction among forestry stakeholders to changes made to the proposed amendment to the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001 covering forestry licences.
“It is disappointing that Minister Hackett has removed the ‘relevant person’ from the proposed legislation,” said Mark McAuley, Forest Industries Ireland (FII).
“The remaining changes are redline issues for the sector if we are to clear the huge backlog of appeals that are crippling the industry including nursery production, afforestation, harvesting, timber processing and related industries such as construction.”
McAuley said it is essential now that resources will be made available to the Forestry Appeals Committee to deal with objections. He welcomed Minister Hackett’s commitment to clear the current logjam.
“It is also important that realistic fees are introduced to combat widespread unjustifiable appeals,” he said.
“The industry must be allowed to function, otherwise the sector is faced with job losses and mill closures.”
Teige Ryan of None so Hardy Nurseries, who met Minister Hackett last Friday, said she is acutely aware of the crisis in the forestry sector.
“While I believe the removal of the ‘relevant sector’ has weakened the legislation, there are sufficient safeguards for all sides to make it work?,” he maintained.
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