There may well have been a communal sigh of relief within the forestry arm of the Department of Agriculture last week.The embattled section finally reached the weekly afforestation licensing target pace for 8,000ha a year, with 18 licences granted for 153 hectares.
There may well have been a communal sigh of relief within the forestry arm of the Department of Agriculture last week.
The embattled section finally reached the weekly afforestation licensing target pace for 8,000ha a year, with 18 licences granted for 153 hectares.
However, it is unlikely that this achievement – laudable as it undoubtedly is – will result in the clinking of any champagne glasses given the current rate of actual afforestation.
Planting levels are running 10% down on last year.
And Ireland will struggle to top the 1,652ha planted in 2023 – the lowest level of afforestation on record.
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