Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae has launched The Good Practice Guide for Managing Sustainable Timber Transport.

Prepared by the Forest Industry Transport Group (FITG), its purpose is “to provide a common framework for good practice that all stakeholders in the forestry and forest products sector both accept and follow,” said chair Des Phelan.

“Every element of the timber transport network bears distinct obligations to ensure compliance with industry standards, both for themselves and others,” he added.

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Minister Healy-Rae welcomed the report which placed strong emphasis on “the need for solutions that prioritise safety, efficiency, and environmental standards”.

Established in 1999, the FITG has a broad membership base including forestry companies, sawmills, Coillte, local authorities, State agencies and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which part funded the guide.

“When applied effectively, this guide will help mobilise our natural timber resource responsibly,” Phelan said.

Speaking on behalf of Glennon Brothers, who hosted the event, Pat Glennon, joint managing director, praised the FITG members for preparing the report and Minister Healy-Rae for launching it at the group’s mill in Castlelyons, Co. Cork.

“This guide is a great step forward for the sector in driving sustainability, safety, and best practice across our industry,” he said.

Des Phelan outlined the importance of the guide for the forestry and forest products sector. “Although timber has a high end value, it holds a low intrinsic value when initially harvested, making it essential to transport it efficiently to ensure that vehicles operate at their maximum payload capacity,” he said. He acknowledged the challenges the sector faces due to Ireland’s geographical distribution of forests.

“Most of these forests are situated at the furthest reaches of the road network and many local roads present a challenge to timber transport in their current form, due to their structure and historic development,” he said.