Forestry planting levels in Ireland have yet to see a significant increase despite improvements in afforestation licensing, according to the Social, Economic and Environmental Forestry Association of Ireland (SEEFA). The most recent forestry statistics released by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) indicate that only 45 hectares have been planted in October, bringing the annual total to just over 1,300 hectares. These figures reflect afforestation that has received payment at the first grant stage this year, including the Native Tree Area Scheme (NTAS).
“We are currently on track to reach approximately 1,700 hectares for the year, which falls well short of the target of 8,000 hectares,” stated SEEFA. “It is crucial for the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine to capitalize on their progress and ensure a positive start to 2025. Landowners and farmers are ready and willing to plant, and the success of forestry initiatives hinges on efficient licensing procedures.”
The latest data for the week ending October 11 reveals that total forestry licensing, encompassing Coillte felling, has dipped below 60 licenses in a week for the first time in over nine weeks. “While afforestation licensing remains at manageable levels, the numbers for felling and road licenses have seen a noticeable decrease,” highlighted SEEFA. In the second week of October, the department issued 17 afforestation licenses for just over 120 hectares. So far this year, a total of 3,911 hectares has been approved for planting, with 470 afforestation licenses granted and 502 valid applications received.
Last week, the department issued 12 private and 14 Coillte felling licenses. The DAFM data indicates that a total of 783 private and 865 Coillte felling licenses have been granted year-to-date, covering 18,372 hectares. In contrast, felling licenses in 2023, both private and Coillte, encompassed 33,416 hectares. Additionally, 707 forestry roads licenses have been granted this year for the construction of 267 kilometers of roads, with 56 kilometers already completed as of last Friday.
The data also shows that 624 approvals have been issued under the Reconstitution of Ash Dieback Scheme, spanning 2,242 hectares. Furthermore, there have been 301 licenses issued for the NTAS (326 hectares) year-to-date and 153 for the Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS) covering 827 hectares.
As the year progresses, the forestry sector in Ireland continues to face challenges in meeting planting targets and maintaining licensing efficiency. Despite some improvements in afforestation licensing, the rate of planting remains below the desired levels set by the government. SEEFA emphasizes the importance of building on the current progress to ensure a more robust start to forestry initiatives in the coming year.
The data provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine underscores the need for increased efforts to streamline licensing processes and facilitate greater participation from landowners and farmers. The decline in felling and road licenses signals a potential bottleneck in the forestry sector, which could impact overall planting rates and the sustainability of Ireland’s forestry industry.
Moving forward, stakeholders in the forestry sector, including government agencies and industry associations, must collaborate to address the challenges hindering efficient afforestation and felling licensing. By prioritizing the needs of landowners and farmers and implementing measures to expedite the licensing process, Ireland can work towards achieving its forestry planting targets and promoting sustainable forestry practices in the years to come.
