September is when the forestry sector promotes forest activities around the country at field days, demonstration sites and the Ploughing. This year, these events have either been cancelled or seriously curtailed, but the sector continues to perform despite COVID-19 restrictions.

In the lead up to this supplement, we asked those involved in forestry to provide their views on the sector and how it can be improved. COVID-19 featured, but faded into the background compared with other obstacles now bedevilling the sector.

Those interviewed ask for the removal of unjustifiable barriers to forestry, especially at afforestation and harvesting, because they are choking the life out of the sector.

Stakeholders who depend on forestry for their livelihoods accept the need for sustainable planning with checks and balances.

What they cannot accept is being held to ransom by widespread appeals, especially when most of the 720 objections are lodged by a handful of appellants.

This cavalier approach is threatening the very survival of the forest industry. Minister Hackett''s “immediate priority […] to reform the legislation underpinning the forestry appeals system and align it with best practice in other licencing and appeals processes” (p46) is welcome.

While the proposed amendment to the Draft Agriculture Appeals (Amendment) Bill 2020 will address this issue, there are other barriers to forestry that need to be removed, not least the virtual banning of planting unenclosed land.

Minister Hackett has “no hesitation in encouraging livestock farmers to consider the combined farm forestry model”, which is welcome. Now, she must ensure that barriers are removed to allow farmers to not only plant, but also to manage and harvest their crops according to best forest practice.