I have an ambition that every forest in Ireland that is privately owned will be certified. We will have a national certification scheme.
– Minister Michael Healy-Rae, Seanad Éireann debate, 29 April 2025
Forest certification is a system that verifies that forests and woodlands are managed according to principles of sustainable forest management (SFM).
It proves that these woods have been independently inspected and evaluated according to strict environmental, social and economic principles and criteria as agreed by an internationally recognised accredited certification body.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) are the two recognised accredited bodies operating in Ireland.
Certification was introduced in the 1990s as a means of tackling illegal logging, deliberate burning and forest degradation, especially in tropical countries. European, American and other countries took the lead in adopting certification even though deforestation was not an issue for them.
Certification is a requirement of forest owners who wish to access major markets such as construction, wood-based panels (WBP), furniture and fencing.
All of Ireland’s exporting timber processors have chain-of-custody certification which means they can brand their timber with FSC or PEFC logos to prove they source their timber from certified forests.
So while forest certification is a voluntary process in theory, it is vital for forest owners. Without it, access to future markets will be severely limited as timber processors and manufacturers with chain-of-custody certification can only purchase a limited supply of timber from uncertified forests.
For example, Irish sawmills and wood-based panel (WBP) mills with chain-of-custody certification, can only accept a maximum of 30% of their log intake from uncertified forests.
With annual total production averaging 4.1 million m3 in recent years most sawmills and WBP mills are now close to the 30% threshold.
However, as timber production is forecast to increase to 7.9m m3 by 2035, this threshold will be exceeded shortly unless private forest owners can achieve certification.
So far, Coillte and Forest Service Northern Ireland and a small number of privately owned forests have achieved certification. Minister Michael Healy-Rae is determined that certification for private growers will be achieved without “an imposition of money” as he outlined in the Seanad Éireann debate on 29 April this year.
“My aim is that the Department will be paying for it,” he said. “Any person who has a forest will go to their forester and ask them to do up a management plan and get it certified,” he added.
The Minister is determined to “have a national certification scheme” and as he outlined in last week’s Forestry Focus in the Irish Farmers Journal: “To ensure that privately grown roundwood in Ireland is certified to international standard, I recently established the National Group Forest Certification Board.”
“The Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA) welcomes to the Minister’s commitment to forest certification and his support of the NGFCB,” said Donal Whelan, technical director ITGA.
“Forest certification is here, and the private sector must now put appropriate structures in place,” he said.
“For Ireland’s fragmented private forest ownership, group certification is the smartest route because it spreads costs, reduces administration and will open the door to more certain and potentially premium timber markets,” he added.
“Certified forests prove that they’re managed sustainably, delivering economic returns while meeting environmental and societal expectations. By embracing certification together, forest owners can achieve scale, credibility, and market advantage.”
The COFORD report A Study on Private Forest Certification in Ireland states: “A National Group Scheme is the only sustainable solution that adequately addresses the certification barriers.”
As private log supply continues to increase, coupled with large volumes of windblown timber, the need for a national certification scheme is now a priority.
Forest owners should check out www.groupcertification.ie for more information.
The Celtic Chainsaw Carvers will be at Kilkea Castle, producing massive timber sculptures in the ground of the castle this Saturday and Sunday.
Kilkea Castle the venue for Woodland Show this weekend
Ireland’s Woodland Show takes place this Saturday and Sunday in Kilkea Castle, Castledermot, Co Kildare.
“The show is a celebration of Irish trees and all things timber with woodland talks and information forums, machinery demonstrations, mobile sawing and exhibitions while once again the Celtic Chainsaw Carvers will produce massive timber sculptures,” says Alex Kelly, show organiser.
“In addition, there will be artisan crafts, food stands and activities for young and old, because while this event has huge interest for those involved in forest management, harvesting and timber processing, it is essentially a family event.”
The show, which is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), will promote all aspects of forestry including biodiversity and sustainable forest management. Technical information on planting trees, grants, timber uses, careers and biodiversity will be provided by the DAFM, Teagasc Forestry, UCD, SETU Waterford, forestry consultants and companies, forest owner groups, sawmills and nurseries.
There will be air rifle target practice, archery, fishing and lawn games while the craft market will feature artisans from around the country in the magnificent grounds of the historic Kilkea Castle Hotel.
Check out www.irelandswoodlandshow.com and www.facebook.com/IrelandsWoodlandShow for further information. Those planning to attend can book through the show website but tickets will also be available at the site.
The advice is to get to Kilkea Castle in ample time as the show kicks off each day at 10am and closes at 5pm.
Field day on windblow in Colloney area of Co Sligo
Ireland’s Western Forestry Co-op (WFC) will be holding a forest open day in conjunction with the Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA) on Friday 24 October in the Colloney area, Co Sligo.
The group will visit windblow harvesting and reforestation sites. Forest owners with windblow who wish to attend should call WFC at 071 9161458 or contact the ITGA (email office@itga.ie) about venue location and times. The event is free but booking is essential as there is limited car parking.
Woodland open day on wild food and mushroom picking
The Irish Forestry Unit Trust (IForUT) and the ITGA are hosting an open day on 10 October to explore wild food and mushroom picking in Clonad woodlands outside Tullamore, Co Offaly. This is the season when many wild plants, berries, and forest fruits are available, especially in a woodland setting.
Woodland mushrooms will be identified by Maria Cullen, a leading mycologist and expert in forest fungi while Mary Bulfin, a local wild food expert, will discuss the potential health benefits of forest fruit and fungi.
The open day is free to the public and receives funding assistance from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Proceedings begin at 10.15am on Friday 10 October. Email office@itga.ie for directions and further information.
I have an ambition that every forest in Ireland that is privately owned will be certified. We will have a national certification scheme.
– Minister Michael Healy-Rae, Seanad Éireann debate, 29 April 2025
Forest certification is a system that verifies that forests and woodlands are managed according to principles of sustainable forest management (SFM).
It proves that these woods have been independently inspected and evaluated according to strict environmental, social and economic principles and criteria as agreed by an internationally recognised accredited certification body.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) are the two recognised accredited bodies operating in Ireland.
Certification was introduced in the 1990s as a means of tackling illegal logging, deliberate burning and forest degradation, especially in tropical countries. European, American and other countries took the lead in adopting certification even though deforestation was not an issue for them.
Certification is a requirement of forest owners who wish to access major markets such as construction, wood-based panels (WBP), furniture and fencing.
All of Ireland’s exporting timber processors have chain-of-custody certification which means they can brand their timber with FSC or PEFC logos to prove they source their timber from certified forests.
So while forest certification is a voluntary process in theory, it is vital for forest owners. Without it, access to future markets will be severely limited as timber processors and manufacturers with chain-of-custody certification can only purchase a limited supply of timber from uncertified forests.
For example, Irish sawmills and wood-based panel (WBP) mills with chain-of-custody certification, can only accept a maximum of 30% of their log intake from uncertified forests.
With annual total production averaging 4.1 million m3 in recent years most sawmills and WBP mills are now close to the 30% threshold.
However, as timber production is forecast to increase to 7.9m m3 by 2035, this threshold will be exceeded shortly unless private forest owners can achieve certification.
So far, Coillte and Forest Service Northern Ireland and a small number of privately owned forests have achieved certification. Minister Michael Healy-Rae is determined that certification for private growers will be achieved without “an imposition of money” as he outlined in the Seanad Éireann debate on 29 April this year.
“My aim is that the Department will be paying for it,” he said. “Any person who has a forest will go to their forester and ask them to do up a management plan and get it certified,” he added.
The Minister is determined to “have a national certification scheme” and as he outlined in last week’s Forestry Focus in the Irish Farmers Journal: “To ensure that privately grown roundwood in Ireland is certified to international standard, I recently established the National Group Forest Certification Board.”
“The Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA) welcomes to the Minister’s commitment to forest certification and his support of the NGFCB,” said Donal Whelan, technical director ITGA.
“Forest certification is here, and the private sector must now put appropriate structures in place,” he said.
“For Ireland’s fragmented private forest ownership, group certification is the smartest route because it spreads costs, reduces administration and will open the door to more certain and potentially premium timber markets,” he added.
“Certified forests prove that they’re managed sustainably, delivering economic returns while meeting environmental and societal expectations. By embracing certification together, forest owners can achieve scale, credibility, and market advantage.”
The COFORD report A Study on Private Forest Certification in Ireland states: “A National Group Scheme is the only sustainable solution that adequately addresses the certification barriers.”
As private log supply continues to increase, coupled with large volumes of windblown timber, the need for a national certification scheme is now a priority.
Forest owners should check out www.groupcertification.ie for more information.
The Celtic Chainsaw Carvers will be at Kilkea Castle, producing massive timber sculptures in the ground of the castle this Saturday and Sunday.
Kilkea Castle the venue for Woodland Show this weekend
Ireland’s Woodland Show takes place this Saturday and Sunday in Kilkea Castle, Castledermot, Co Kildare.
“The show is a celebration of Irish trees and all things timber with woodland talks and information forums, machinery demonstrations, mobile sawing and exhibitions while once again the Celtic Chainsaw Carvers will produce massive timber sculptures,” says Alex Kelly, show organiser.
“In addition, there will be artisan crafts, food stands and activities for young and old, because while this event has huge interest for those involved in forest management, harvesting and timber processing, it is essentially a family event.”
The show, which is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), will promote all aspects of forestry including biodiversity and sustainable forest management. Technical information on planting trees, grants, timber uses, careers and biodiversity will be provided by the DAFM, Teagasc Forestry, UCD, SETU Waterford, forestry consultants and companies, forest owner groups, sawmills and nurseries.
There will be air rifle target practice, archery, fishing and lawn games while the craft market will feature artisans from around the country in the magnificent grounds of the historic Kilkea Castle Hotel.
Check out www.irelandswoodlandshow.com and www.facebook.com/IrelandsWoodlandShow for further information. Those planning to attend can book through the show website but tickets will also be available at the site.
The advice is to get to Kilkea Castle in ample time as the show kicks off each day at 10am and closes at 5pm.
Field day on windblow in Colloney area of Co Sligo
Ireland’s Western Forestry Co-op (WFC) will be holding a forest open day in conjunction with the Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA) on Friday 24 October in the Colloney area, Co Sligo.
The group will visit windblow harvesting and reforestation sites. Forest owners with windblow who wish to attend should call WFC at 071 9161458 or contact the ITGA (email office@itga.ie) about venue location and times. The event is free but booking is essential as there is limited car parking.
Woodland open day on wild food and mushroom picking
The Irish Forestry Unit Trust (IForUT) and the ITGA are hosting an open day on 10 October to explore wild food and mushroom picking in Clonad woodlands outside Tullamore, Co Offaly. This is the season when many wild plants, berries, and forest fruits are available, especially in a woodland setting.
Woodland mushrooms will be identified by Maria Cullen, a leading mycologist and expert in forest fungi while Mary Bulfin, a local wild food expert, will discuss the potential health benefits of forest fruit and fungi.
The open day is free to the public and receives funding assistance from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Proceedings begin at 10.15am on Friday 10 October. Email office@itga.ie for directions and further information.
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