Green Light for Growth: SEEFA Calls for Boost in Planting as Licence Output Rises

"SEEFA Urges Swift Action as Afforestation Licences Increase in Ireland"

The Social, Economic and Environmental Forestry Association of Ireland (SEEFA) has emphasized the importance of translating the recent increase in afforestation licences into actual planting without delay. According to the latest data from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), there were 70 afforestation licences issued in August, followed by a further 73 licences in September. The licences issued last month permit the planting of 586 hectares, marking the highest monthly area since September 2022, when the DAFM granted licences for afforestation on 690 hectares. As of the week ending on Friday, September 27, 2024, a total of 3,690 hectares have been approved for planting this year, with 436 licences issued out of 488 valid applications received.

The total area planted this year currently stands at 1,257 hectares, a slight decrease from the same period last year when 1,368 hectares were planted. The DAFM clarifies that this figure only reflects afforestation that has been paid at the first grant stage year-to-date. While the number of planting licences dropped to 11 last week following a strong performance in the previous four weeks, SEEFA highlighted that the number of felling licences issued rebounded after a period of consistently low figures. Recent forestry data reveals that 762 private felling licences have been issued so far this year, in comparison to 817 Coillte felling licences. Overall, the total number of felling licences issued by the DAFM peaked at 71 last week.

Despite private felling licences still trailing behind those issued to Coillte, SEEFA welcomed the improvement as a positive step in the right direction. The organization noted that the decline in afforestation licences last week, coupled with the uptick in felling licences, raises concerns about the department’s capacity to cater to all forestry sectors simultaneously.

Matt Lyons

Matt Lyons

Matt Lyons is the founder of Forestry & Carbon. Matt has over 25 years as a forestry consultant and is invoilved in numerous carbon credit offset projects.

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