At the recent annual general meeting (AGM) of the Limerick and Tipperary Woodland Owners (LTWO) held in Tipperary Town last Saturday, members made a fervent plea to all political representatives to prioritize the preservation of Ireland’s forestry industry. The group emphasized the urgent need for action if Ireland is to meet its climate change mitigation commitments, warning that failure to do so could result in taxpayers facing €6 billion in potential fines.
Chairman of LTWO, Simon White, expressed concerns over the ongoing failure to meet annual planting targets, attributing this shortfall to the Department of Agriculture’s punitive measures against forest owners. White highlighted the financial strain faced by woodland owners due to disease outbreaks and restrictive harvesting regulations, urging the department to address these issues promptly. He emphasized the importance of sustainable forestry practices and called for increased support for the sector.
During the meeting, several key points were raised and consensually agreed upon by the woodland owners. These included the urgent need to revise the ash dieback plan to align with recommendations from the ash dieback review report, fair compensation for ash plantation owners affected by losses, and the removal of compulsory replanting policies following disease outbreaks. Concerns were also raised regarding the potential threat of imported diseases, such as bark beetles, to Ireland’s forests, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to safeguard the nation’s woodlands.
LTWO Ltd. echoed calls for the establishment of an independent expert forestry group to guide future policy decisions and advocated for the appointment of a dedicated minister to address the ongoing forestry crisis. The group urged all stakeholders in the forestry sector to raise these pressing issues in the lead-up to the upcoming General Election on November 29.
The LTWO group highlighted the significant decline in the timber industry during the current government’s term, with over 4,000 jobs lost. While acknowledging some improvements in licensing processing times, the group criticized the overall inefficiency in the application approval process. They also criticized the underfunding of the ash dieback resolution efforts, resulting in growers bearing substantial financial burdens.
The group lamented the government’s unattractive conditions for afforestation, leading to the lowest planting rates in decades. Despite the push for increased forestry planting, the actual numbers fell significantly short of targets, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current policies. The group stressed the crucial role of tree planting in mitigating environmental impacts and called for a more supportive and sustainable approach to forestry management.
In conclusion, the LTWO’s impassioned plea for immediate action to safeguard Ireland’s forestry industry serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the sector. With mounting pressures from disease outbreaks, bureaucratic hurdles, and inadequate support, the future of Ireland’s woodlands hangs in the balance. It is imperative for policymakers and stakeholders to heed these calls for reform and take decisive steps to ensure the long-term sustainability of the country’s forestry sector.
