In the lead up to the general election on Friday (November 26), the Social, Economic and Environmental Forestry Association of Ireland (SEEFA) has provided a comprehensive overview of each political party’s commitments to the forestry sector following the publication of their manifestos. According to the latest data from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), a total of 4,360 hectares have been approved for new planting this year. SEEFA highlighted the “inconsistency” that has characterized the past year and expressed a willingness to collaborate with all stakeholders to advance Irish forestry.
Fianna Fáil has promised to tackle ash dieback through removal programs, research, and replenishment, while ensuring growers have access to essential pest control products. Their non-forestry specific pledges include amalgamating designated non-timber productive Coillte lands into the National Parks and Wildlife Services, implementing a national invasive species elimination program, extending the network of local authority biodiversity officers, and adhering to the EU Nature Restoration Law to meet rewetting targets on state-owned lands by the 2040s.
Fine Gael has committed to streamlining the licensing system and providing farmer-focused supports within Ireland’s forestry program. They aim to acknowledge upfront planting costs, encourage a diverse mix of planting, and allocate sufficient funding to combat the impact of ash dieback. Additionally, their non-forestry specific pledges involve implementing new regulations to promote the use of timber in new building projects, ensuring fair application of the Nature Restoration Law, and allocating €2 billion annually to the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund.
Sinn Féin has proposed a comprehensive review of forestry policy, aiming to transform it into an “opportunity” rather than a “burden” for family farms. The party plans to enhance and restore national parks and native woodlands through additional current and capital expenditure. They also intend to establish a dedicated €300 million nature restoration fund.
Aontú’s manifesto does not include specific forestry policies but criticizes proposals to quadruple forestry cover and rewet reclaimed land as “unfair to farmers.” The party opposes the Climate Action Bill and the EU Nature Restoration Law, advocating for rural-focused solutions and prioritizing agriculture in climate funding.
The Green Party has pledged to work towards the Climate Action Plan afforestation target of 8,000 hectares. They also promise to introduce a scheme to support the removal of diseased ash trees and implement the Deer Management Strategy Group recommendations to facilitate the establishment of native woodlands. Their non-forestry specific pledges include developing and resourcing a nature restoration plan, advocating for a European Nature Restoration Fund, and promoting urban nature initiatives.
People Before Profit aims to alter Coillte’s mandate to focus solely on promoting biodiversity, banning monocultural Sitka spruce forests and advocating for mixed forest or native broadleaf planting. Their non-forestry specific pledges involve funding the NPWS, developing a national nature restoration plan, and holding a referendum on inserting the rights of nature and the right to a healthy environment into the constitution.
Labour has pledged to protect public forests, compensate for ash dieback, expand urban tree planting, and support wood-based industries. They also plan to increase planting grants, review the action plan for ash dieback, and protect trees that have developed natural resistance. Their non-forestry specific pledges include expanding the commercial semistate sector’s involvement in renewable energy and allocating funds for biodiversity and nature restoration.
Independent Ireland has called for a significant overhaul of the forestry sector, proposing improvements to compensatory schemes for ash dieback and a review of carbon sequestration. They have also opposed restrictions that negatively impact agricultural or rural land under climate restoration initiatives.
The Social Democrats have committed to mapping existing woodland and remnant forests, developing management strategies to protect and expand them, and maintaining Coillte and Ireland’s forests in public ownership. They also aim to create a revised Climate Action Plan to meet international targets by 2030 and avoid potential fines.
It is evident that each political party has outlined distinct approaches to the forestry sector in their manifestos, with a focus on addressing issues such as ash dieback, biodiversity, and nature restoration. The forestry sector is set to play a crucial role in Ireland’s environmental and economic future, making these pledges and commitments of significant importance in the upcoming general election.
